From bill at reefs.org Thu Nov 1 02:09:04 2001 From: bill at reefs.org (Bill Crockett) Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 23:09:04 -0800 Subject: divers and fish References: <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: <3BE0F510.7030205@reefs.org> Prasanna, Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect for their own tank. In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral exporter in the world I believe, most collection was done by local Fijians. They then transfer the livestock to the various companies exporting it. During my stay there I also became aware of the various destructive habits of Fijians upon their own reefs. I heard of local Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was illegal since January, an article was published in the Fiji Times about how two turtles from a research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. I also witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. I inquired the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to the ocean soon. I also witnessed various large breeding size fish including specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium trade eaten for food. Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but eating of breeding fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish population and variety of the reef. While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many have become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While I might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at various sites that have been created because of the hobby. Online magazine created for hobby: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp 1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: http://www.orafarm.com/ Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: http://www.reefs.org While you state "I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build "pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home." I implore you inform yourself of the current situation of reef keeping in the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or defensive, but the aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and inverts, many of the animals that are now imported are now being captive grown and bred. I invite you to join the reef keeping community as an outside observer and if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6 months of active participation then so be it. Bill Crockett www.reefs.org Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: >I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore enlightened lot >than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there is one or two) Down >here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is re-settling hundreds of >pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to extract the fish from their >hiding places)supplying the aquarium industry. Post to the 1998 bleaching >event the reefs down here have suffered tremendously with less than 50% of >the reefs remaining and struggling to survive. there is significant loss in >fish abundance and diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so >"understanding or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same >rate. they still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to >the last one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers >exported it is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no >longer viable; than because of the sensitive Reef keeper hobbyists >voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live exotics to give a chance >for the reefs to recover. > >I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. May be the >recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and make >the aquarists aware. > >The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that livens their living >room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective predation by >the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of >what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. > >My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with >aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance effects of their >hobbies on a daily basis. > >Prasanna > > > > > > > > > > > >At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you wrote: > >>At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote: >> >>>Without recreational divers the academic community has NO hope of >>>spreading the word about the plight of the world's reefs. >>> >>I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large % of "reef aware" >>individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community .. since these >>individuals have a great deal of experience with what is necessary for >>healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of their delicacy. >>This is also a very useful group when it comes to spreading awareness of >>corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general public. I know several >>hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary students visit their >>homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about coral reefs in general. >> >>Aloha! >> >> >> >> >>J. Charles Delbeek >>Aquarium Biologist >>Waikiki Aquarium >>2777 Kalakaua Ave. >>Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 >>808-923-9741 >>808-923-1771 FAX >> >>~~~~~~~ >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> >> >> > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011031/079464a8/attachment.html From jmk100 at york.ac.uk Thu Nov 1 05:30:38 2001 From: jmk100 at york.ac.uk (Jeremy Kemp) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 10:30:38 +0000 Subject: 'Not our fault' References: <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> <3BE0F510.7030205@reefs.org> Message-ID: <3BE1244E.32AE547F@york.ac.uk> One point prompted by various strands of discussion on the coral list at the moment: There are numerous interest groups involved in making money and a living, or getting enjoyment, from activities that involve the exploitation of coral reef systems and the species which live there. As a marine biologist working on various aspects of Coastal Zone Management and biodiversity conservation, it becomes rather tiresome hearing again and again and again the same old 'Not my fault, guv' response to comments such as those made by Prasanna about aquarium collecting. While it is easy to understand that concerned and responsible individuals associated with such activities get tired of being tarred with the same brush as the irresponsible majority, please don't go defending unsustainable activities (or even appear to be defending them) by proxy while defending yourselves. This problem crops up repeatedly among many groups including fishers, tourist developers and operators, and others. To take just one example (without wanting to be unfair - there are, as we all know, many other sources and causes of degradation, Sri Lanka being a good example of multiple stressors), the bottom line is that the aquarium industry is one significant cause of coral reef degradation in some areas. Claims that someone criticising the aquarium industry is "blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local collectors" are ludicrous when those local collectors are collecting marine species for export to the very same hobbyists being defended. While there is no doubt that there ARE responsible and concerned aquarium hobbyists (and also some responsible collectors, exporters and importers, as well as increasingly organised and coordinated efforts to inject responsibility and sustainability into the hobby internationally) there is also no doubt that the hobby causes real damage to reef systems in certain parts of the world. Claims to the contrary just don't ring true. Jerry Kemp ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Thu Nov 1 08:02:47 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 08:02:47 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <3BE0F510.7030205@reefs.org> References: <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011101065359.00be2940@localhost> Hi Bill, You wrote: > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local > collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect > for their own tank. Come on there. That's like saying one shouldn't blame the Consumer for the habits of the local Indonesian loggers because as far as you know very few people chop down exotic hardwoods for their own furniture and floors. You wrote: > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many have > become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While I > might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at > various sites that have been created because of the hobby. I don't get your point. Why would you encourage us to visit these various reef keepers' sites? I just checked yours out. Perhaps I missed the point. Best wishes, Ursula TURTLE TRAX http://www.turtles.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From hendee at aoml.noaa.gov Thu Nov 1 08:23:37 2001 From: hendee at aoml.noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 08:23:37 -0500 (EST) Subject: "Doomed" thread available Message-ID: Greetings Coral-Listers, Our CHAMP WebMiss, Monika Gurnee, has compiled the thread for the recent topic, "Are coral reefs doomed?" You may find it at the CHAMP Web site: http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/doomed_thread.html I hope this leads to further understanding and constructive discussion. Cheers, Jim ---------------------------------------------------- James C. Hendee, Ph.D. Coral Health and Monitoring Program Ocean Chemistry Division Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149-1026 Voice: (305) 361-4396 Fax: (305) 361-4392 Email: jim.hendee at noaa.gov Web: http://www.coral.noaa.gov ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From James.Wiseman at intec-hou.com Thu Nov 1 09:37:17 2001 From: James.Wiseman at intec-hou.com (James Wiseman) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 08:37:17 -0600 Subject: divers and fish Message-ID: Ursula et al., I don't think Bill did a very good job of getting his point across either. He is just back from a month is Fiji "checking up" on one of the coral collectors there and I am sure he has seen both the "good" and the "bad" (and sounds like even the "ugly") of the aquarium trade. I think the MAIN point is that this is a much more complicated issue than just "Aquarium hobbyists don't care where their fish come from." We are talking about a complex socio-economic system with many interconnected parts stretching from Europe to the US to Indonesia to the Philippines, etc. Instead of just pointing to a homepage (Not very useful Bill) why not take a look at an editorial I wrote for that same website, which explains some of these issues to hobbyists who may be ignorant of them: http://www.reefs.org/editorial/september_2000.html One thing to keep in mind through all of this is that aquarium hobbyists LOVE their corals and fish - and as another poster to coral-list once said, "We protect what we love." Cheers James Wiseman -----Original Message----- From: Ursula Keuper-Bennett [mailto:howzit at turtles.org] Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 7:03 AM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Cc: Bill Crockett Subject: Re: divers and fish Hi Bill, You wrote: > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local > collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect > for their own tank. Come on there. That's like saying one shouldn't blame the Consumer for the habits of the local Indonesian loggers because as far as you know very few people chop down exotic hardwoods for their own furniture and floors. You wrote: > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many have > become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While I > might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at > various sites that have been created because of the hobby. I don't get your point. Why would you encourage us to visit these various reef keepers' sites? I just checked yours out. Perhaps I missed the point. Best wishes, Ursula TURTLE TRAX http://www.turtles.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From dlehmann at nc.rr.com Thu Nov 1 11:15:00 2001 From: dlehmann at nc.rr.com (Wade) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 11:15:00 -0500 Subject: divers and fish/research Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101105110.00ad7ae8@pop-server.nc.rr.com> From the perspective of a researcher wishing to delve into the hard core science behind the reefs, I am throwing my vote in for maintaining a sustainable hobby. The advances in rearing, propagating, and breeding both fish and corals do not come from scientists. And while we might thoroughly enjoy field work, we cannot expect to achieve the same reproducibility in biochemical and molecular information as in the laboratory setting. A distinct lack of control exists. So, as scientists, I propose that we support a sustainable hobby. Let the hobbiests who "love" their animals continue to provide input and leaps forward in the technical know-how of keeping these animals so that in the future, not only can we do solid research, but we can also begin programs of restoration. It seems to me after reading these posts that everyone seems to have a somewhat blanket view of the whole process of collection and keeping. A couple of points I feel that should be made: It is blanket accusations (from both sides of the issue) which cause problems and many hobbiests and organizations are working hard to set up sustainable programs. I would urge both sides to look at all the angles. Collections for reef aquaria, as we all know, is but one aspect of a much larger picture. Wade Lehmann Aquatic Toxicology Dept. of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From excofier at nevada.grenoble.hp.com Thu Nov 1 11:21:27 2001 From: excofier at nevada.grenoble.hp.com (David Excoffier) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 17:21:27 +0100 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20011101172127.00800100@nevada.grenoble.hp.com> Hello Prasanna, >I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. Yes they have, why do you think that some of us are connected to this list ?, I'm not here to learn things on how to keep a reef aquarium, I'm only here because having a reef aquarium has interested me on reef future/ecology. And when I read here interesting contributions that can enlight others reef keepers then I translate (in french) and forward to our distribution list (500 french speaking members having reef aquariums). I'm not the only one to do that. >The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that livens their living >room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective predation by >the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of >what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. They know that, and that's why some of us are trying to promote initiatives that are more safe for the reef, grouping their forces in non profit associations for example. Nearly all reef keepers are aware of cyanid fishing just because often the fish dies in their tank, nearly all reef keepers knows exactly the impact of high water temperature of reef inhabitant because it has exactly the same effect in their tank, nearly all reef keepers wants to be able to continue their hobby having the less as possible impact on the reef. A lot of them are working on this, promoting corals frag exchanges, promoting labels, promoting compagnies like this one for example : http://www.aqua-fish.com/ (please visit their web site, you can already found their fishes in french shops !), some of them are even spending time and money to try to organize national/international conferencies on that allowing scientists to speak of that... >My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with >aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance effects of their >hobbies on a daily basis. I really think that the largest part of reef keepers are aware on what's going on on real reefs, certainly more aware than everyone else except peoples living there or working on this subject. These reef keepers have friend, families, etc... and all these peoples are also more or less made aware of this because of the reefkeepers. It is perhaps nothing, it'll perhaps be better to stop marine aquarium industry, I don't know... What I know is that most of the reefkeepers that I know have never visited a real reefs, and would have never take care of what is happening on your reef without having a reef tank. This has a price, perhaps it is too expensive for the reef, it's up to you to let us know. When European Community has banned some LPS species coming from Indonesia, who has been aware of that ?, reefkeepers, who has asked why there was this ban ?, reefkeepers, who, perhaps because of this ban, has discovered that reefs where disappearing for severals reason (global warm, aquarist hobby, bomb fishing, etc...) ?, reefkeepers. You cannot say that they are not aware... The first time that I've seen on French TV a major advertise (prime time, something like 9 millions of french people watching TV, severals time on the week) on human impact on the reef was a few weeks ago with a campaign of a french national environnement agency telling something like "do you know that when you use your car you are killing reefs....". Except this uncommon example, all that I have learned on this was here and meeting other reefkeepers , and I came here because I'm a reef keeper. Otherwise I wouldn't have take care of reefs and only take care of global warm that reduce the size of the glaciers that I can see from my home windows. Very sorry for disturbing this list with my simple reefkeeper comments. Regards, David -- Membre de l'ARA (http://www.aquarium-recifal.com ) Co-nettoyeur d'Aquamer. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From szmanta at uncwil.edu Thu Nov 1 12:23:24 2001 From: szmanta at uncwil.edu (Alina M. Szmant) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 12:23:24 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <3BE0F510.7030205@reefs.org> References: <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101121201.00aa59f0@pop.uncwil.edu> Dear Bill: I think that what Prasanna is intimating in her message is that collecting by whomever for the aquarium trade causes the damage because the aquarium trade provides a market for the captured fishes. Obviously the pet store owner in Chicago or the aquarium owner in Santa Fe are not the ones destroying the reef while collecting, but by paying for the fishes with good ol' $$ they provide the economic incentive for the hard-pressed Fijians or other natives to do the destruction. Peoples in the countries that use destructive fishing practices are usually poor and have few ways in which to make a living. The short term benefit far outweighs the long-term damage to them. If we don't buy, they can't sell, and then there is no use to the collecting and it will eventually stop. The solution you bring up of captive breeding is what is needed for the reef aquarium industry. Few freshwater aquarium fishes come from wild-caught stocks and maybe it is time for marine aquarists to limit their hobby to only those species that can be maricultured. Alina Szmant At 11:09 PM 10/31/2001 -0800, Bill Crockett wrote: >Prasanna, > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local > collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect > for their own tank. In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral exporter > in the world I believe, most collection was done by local Fijians. They > then transfer the livestock to the various companies exporting > it. During my stay there I also became aware of the various destructive > habits of Fijians upon their own reefs. I heard of local Fijians eating > sea turtles even though it was illegal since January, an article was > published in the Fiji Times about how two turtles from a research station > in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. I also witnessed a sea turtle in > a fish collection system in Suva. I inquired the manager on why it was > there and she replied it would be returned to the ocean soon. I also > witnessed various large breeding size fish including specimens that would > be considered exported by the aquarium trade eaten for food. Am I saying > they cannot eat these fish? No, but eating of breeding fish will and does > have an impact on the overall fish population and variety of the reef. > > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many have > become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While I > might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at > various sites that have been created because of the hobby. > >Online magazine created for hobby: >http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: >http://www.orafarm.com/ >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: >http://www.reefs.org > >While you state >"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home." > >I implore you inform yourself of the current situation of reef keeping in >the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or defensive, but the >aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and inverts, many of >the animals that are now imported are now being captive grown and bred. I >invite you to join the reef keeping community as an outside observer and >if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6 months of active >participation then so be it. >Bill Crockett >www.reefs.org > > > > > > > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: >> >>I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore enlightened lot >>than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there is one or two) Down >>here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is re-settling hundreds of >>pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to extract the fish from their >>hiding places)supplying the aquarium industry. Post to the 1998 bleaching >>event the reefs down here have suffered tremendously with less than 50% of >>the reefs remaining and struggling to survive. there is significant loss in >>fish abundance and diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so >>"understanding or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same >>rate. they still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to >>the last one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers >>exported it is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no >>longer viable; than because of the sensitive Reef ke >>eper hobbyists >>voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live exotics to give a chance >>for the reefs to recover. >> >>I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or >>care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build >>"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. May be the >>recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and make >>the aquarists aware. >> >>The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that livens their living >>room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective predation by >>the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of >>what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. >> >>My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with >>aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance effects of their >>hobbies on a daily basis. >> >>Prasanna >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you wrote: >>> >>>At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote: >>>> >>>>Without recreational divers the academic community has NO hope of >>>>spreading the word about the plight of the world's reefs. >>> >>>I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large % of "reef aware" >>>individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community .. since these >>>individuals have a great deal of experience with what is necessary for >>>healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of their delicacy. >>>This is also a very useful group when it comes to spreading awareness of >>>corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general public. I know several >>>hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary students visit their >>>homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about coral reefs in general. >>> >>>Aloha! >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>J. Charles Delbeek >>>Aquarium Biologist >>>Waikiki Aquarium >>>2777 Kalakaua Ave. >>>Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 >>>808-923-9741 >>>808-923-1771 FAX >>> >>>~~~~~~~ >>>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >>>digests, please visit www >>>.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >>>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >>> >>> >>> >> >> >>~~~~~~~ >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, >>click on Popular on the >>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> >> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011101/38b8a68d/attachment.html From osha at oshadavidson.com Thu Nov 1 13:59:26 2001 From: osha at oshadavidson.com (Osha Gray Davidson) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 12:59:26 -0600 Subject: Doomed? thread Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101111739.01a2c7f0@mail.oshadavidson.com> Now that Jim Hendee has posted the entire "Doomed?" thread (thanks Monika Gurnee!), I had a chance to read it through as whole, rather than day by day, as it came. One thing that struck me was, amid the variety of reef problems mentioned, the absence of "disease" as an issue. This seems a particularly egregious omission given a number of factors. (I know some will argue that disease is a response to other problems, and in some cases that's no doubt true, but the links in other cases are not understood and coral diseases as an issue really should be included in any discussion of the fate of reefs.) White Band Disease (WBD) was the main cause of the mass mortality of Acropora, previously the primary reef-building corals of the Caribbean. (Aronson and Precht, "Evolutionary paleocology of Caribbean coral reefs," in Evolutionary Paleoecology, Allmon and Bottjer, eds., 2001.) Then there's the mass mortality of sea fans caused by the bacterium Aspergillus sp. reported by Smith, Harvel and Kim (sorry, I don't have the complete cite handy). Disease also plays a role in coral decline even when the diseases aren't attacking corals per se. The Diadema die-off in the early 1980s (killing 95% of D. antillarum in the western Caribbean) likely contributed to algal overgrowth in many areas (H. Lessios, 1988), since that sea urchin was a major herbivore throughout the area. That epizootic was likely a case of "pathogen pollution," in which pathogens are transported (in this case in bilge water from a ship coming through the Panama canal) by humans. For more on pathogen pollution see Peter Daszak, et al. in Science, 21 January 2000, pp. 443-49. And on that note, I'll climb down from my "disease" soapbox. Cheers, Osha ================================ Osha Gray Davidson Home page: www.OshaDavidson.com 14 S. Governor St. Phone: 319-338-4778 Iowa City, IA 52240 E-Mail: osha at oshadavidson.com USA "Fire in the Turtle House" http://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/books/fire.html Book Tour: http://oshadavidson.com/TurtleTour.htm The Turtle House Foundation: www.turtlehousefoundation.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From firefish at sltnet.lk Thu Nov 1 14:02:31 2001 From: firefish at sltnet.lk (Prasanna Weerakkody) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 01:02:31 +0600 (GMT) Subject: divers and fish Message-ID: <200111011902.fA1J2Uu22307@laknet.slt.lk> Bill and others I still think that you have no clue what goes on down here. Unfortunately the poor fish collectors down here have no access to computers or internet (many would be barely literate at that matter)and they will never know of what their paymasters (i.e. the aquarist)do or would want them to do either. The locals always used the reef fish for food; and the traditional methods and levels of harvest were sustainable and non destructive. The collection of ornamentals is not traditional and was began and is sustained by the demand by the aquarist. So I do blame the aquarist for the fate of the reef at the hands of the local collectors. I don't think you can come clean on this; The aquarist remain the driving force of the collector, and in a way your attitude that the aquarist and the fish collector are disconnected illustrates the point - that the aquarist is not aware or care about their effects on far away unseen reefs. (Out of sight - out of mind???) If the aquarists do care they should be willing to voluntarily adjust the demand of the trade to match the changing situation on the reefs. and pressurize the 'middle man' the Fish exporter to adapt responsible trade regulations and in turn impose conservation minded controls (techniques, awareness and practices) among their fish collector groups in the field. This is the rock on which we are forced to bash our heads to bring some relief to the reef fauna. Against money driven politics it is difficult to bring in regulation from bottom up. so may be the aquarists could look at a top down approach to this problem "if they care". I would be perhaps the happiest if the aquarists are successful at breeding and growing fish and inverts on their tanks(no more extraction and perhaps a few re-introductions...). But if that is not the sink hole to which our fish go I have no clue where they do go. Forgive me for my stubbornness, It's just that I have to be afraid for every little colorful fish recruiting on the reefs where I work; knowing that their days on the reef are very very short. And we have to (though with much regret)scare the fish and teach them to be wary of divers in order to retain at least a few so that they would grow up on the reef and hopefully breed. Perhaps I hope for too much. Best wishes Prasanna At 11:09 PM 31-10-01 -0800, you wrote: >Prasanna, > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local >collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect >for their own tank. In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral >exporter in the world I believe, most collection was done by local >Fijians. They then transfer the livestock to the various companies >exporting it. During my stay there I also became aware of the various >destructive habits of Fijians upon their own reefs. I heard of local >Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was illegal since January, an >article was published in the Fiji Times about how two turtles from a >research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. I also >witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. I inquired >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to >the ocean soon. I also witnessed various large breeding size fish >including specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium >trade eaten for food. Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but >eating of breeding fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish >population and variety of the reef. > > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many >have become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While >I might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look >at various sites that have been created because of the hobby. > >Online magazine created for hobby: >http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: >http://www.orafarm.com/ >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: http://www.reefs.org > >While you state > >"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home." > >I implore you inform yourself of the current situation of reef keeping in the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or defensive, but the aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and inverts, many of the animals that are now imported are now being captive grown and bred. I invite you to join the reef keeping community as an outside observer and if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6 months of active participation then so be it. >Bill Crockett >www.reefs.org > > > > > > > > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: > >>I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore enlightened lot >>than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there is one or two) Down >>here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is re-settling hundreds of >>pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to extract the fish from their >>hiding places)supplying the aquarium industry. Post to the 1998 bleaching >>event the reefs down here have suffered tremendously with less than 50% of >>the reefs remaining and struggling to survive. there is significant loss in >>fish abundance and diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so >>"understanding or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same >>rate. they still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to >>the last one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers >>exported it is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no >>longer viable; than because of the sensitive Reef keeper hobbyists >>voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live exotics to give a chance >>for the reefs to recover. >> >>I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or >>care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build >>"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. May be the >>recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and make >>the aquarists aware. >> >>The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that livens their living >>room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective predation by >>the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of >>what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. >> >>My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with >>aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance effects of their >>hobbies on a daily basis. >> >>Prasanna >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you wrote: >> >>>At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote: >>> >>>>Without recreational divers the academic community has NO hope of >>>>spreading the word about the plight of the world's reefs. >>>> >>>I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large % of "reef aware" >>>individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community .. since these >>>individuals have a great deal of experience with what is necessary for >>>healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of their delicacy. >>>This is also a very useful group when it comes to spreading awareness of >>>corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general public. I know several >>>hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary students visit their >>>homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about coral reefs in general. >>> >>>Aloha! >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>J. Charles Delbeek >>>Aquarium Biologist >>>Waikiki Aquarium >>>2777 Kalakaua Ave. >>>Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 >>>808-923-9741 >>>808-923-1771 FAX >>> >>>~~~~~~~ >>>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >>>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >>>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >>> >>> >>> >> >>~~~~~~~ >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> >> > > > > > >Prasanna,
>    Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local collectors >and as far as I know there are very few people that collect for their own >tank.  In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral exporter in the world >I believe, most collection was done by local Fijians.  They then transfer >the livestock to the various companies exporting it.   During my stay there >I also became aware of the various destructive habits of Fijians upon their >own reefs.  I heard of local Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was >illegal since January, an article was published in the Fiji Times about how >two turtles from a research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. > I also witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva.  I inquired >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to the >ocean soon.  I also witnessed various large breeding size fish including >specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium trade eaten for >food.  Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but eating of breeding >fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish population and variety >of the reef.
>
>     While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many have >become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby.  While I might >defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at various >sites that have been created because of the hobby.
>
>Online magazine created for hobby: http://ww w.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp
>1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: http://www.orafarm.com/
>Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: http://www.reefs.org
>
>While you state >
"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on
down here, or
care how much they are contributing to the destruction of
the reefs to build
"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at
home."

I implore you inform yourself of the current situation
of reef keeping in the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or
defensive, but the aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and
inverts, many of the animals that are now imported are now being
captive grown and bred. I invite you to join the reef keeping community as
an outside observer and if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6
months of active participation then so be it.
Bill Crockett
www.reefs.org
>
>
>
>  
>
>
>
>Prasanna Weerakkody wrote:
>
> 
I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore
enlightened lot
than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there
is one or two) Down
here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is
re-settling hundreds of
pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to
extract the fish from their
hiding places)supplying the aquarium
industry.  Post to the 1998 bleaching
event the reefs down here have
suffered tremendously with less than 50% of
the reefs remaining and
struggling to survive. there is significant loss in
fish abundance and
diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so
"understanding
or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same
rate. they
still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to
the last
one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers
exported it
is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no
longer
viable; than because of the sensitive Reef ke
>eper hobbyists
voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live
exotics to give a chance
for the reefs to recover.

I don't think
the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or
care how much
they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build
"pretty
little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home.  May be
the
recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and
make
the aquarists aware.

The aquarists should know that every
colourful fish that livens their living
room makes the reefs less and
less colourful as the selective predation by
the trade is leaving the
reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of
what such high intensity
selective extraction does to the reef ecology. 

My apologies if I
sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with
aquarists when you
are struggling with the long distance effects of their
hobbies on a daily
basis. 

Prasanna


>








At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you
wrote:
>
> 
At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote:
>
> 
Without recreational divers the academic community has
NO hope of 
spreading the word about the plight of the world's
reefs.
>
> 
I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large
% of "reef aware" 
individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community
.. since these 
individuals have a great deal of experience with what is
necessary for 
healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of
their delicacy. 
This is also a very useful group when it comes to
spreading awareness of 
corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general
public. I know several 
hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary
students visit their 
homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about
coral reefs in general.

Aloha!




J. Charles
Delbeek
Aquarium Biologist
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua
Ave.
Honolulu, HI, USA 96815
808-923-9741
808-923-1771
FAX

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to
coral-list or the
digests, please visit www
>.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
menu bar, then click on
Coral-List Listserver.



>
> 

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and
unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on
the
menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.


>
>
> > > Prasanna Weerakkody Nature Conservation Group No.9, Balapokuna place, Colombo 6. Sri Lanka E-mail: firefish at sltnet.lk Ph: 941-856041 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Stacy.B.Roberts at dep.state.fl.us Thu Nov 1 15:13:23 2001 From: Stacy.B.Roberts at dep.state.fl.us (Roberts, Stacy B.) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 15:13:23 -0500 Subject: Job Opportunity FDEP Message-ID: <93E2A2D0BD46024C8C73C0D3395E1F732F4A36@TLHEXSMB2.floridadep.net> VACANCY Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Beaches and Coastal Systems OPEN COMPETITIVE TITLE: Environmental Specialist III (4812) POSITION #: 00327 LOCATION: Tallahassee (LEON) PAY GRADE: 024 PAY RANGE: $3,060.60 to $5,131.50 MONTHLY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering and three years of professional experience in environmental protection, regulation or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering and two years of professional experience as described above; or A doctorate from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering; or Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida. Professional experience in environmental protection, regulation or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Valid Drivers License, Travel and Open Water SCUBA Certification APPLY TO: Martin Seeling, Environmental Administrator 3900 Commonwealth Blvd Mail Station 300 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 (850) 487-4471 ext 104 SunCom 277-4471 ext 104 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: Conducts the review of applications for Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), Environmental Resources Permits (ERP), Wetland Resource Permits (WRP), and authorizations to use sovereign submerged lands for coastal construction activities, including beach nourishment, maintenance dredging of shipping channels and public fishing piers. This position performs extensive communication and coordination with permit applicants, local, state and federal governmental agencies, other departmental entities and other sections of the Office. The incumbent of this position is expected to maintain an expertise in biology of coastal marine and estuarine ecosystems and the statutes, rules, regulations and policies related to coastal construction, environmental resource permit, and sovereign submerged lands programs, pursuant to Chapters 120, 161, 253, 258, 373 and 403, Florida Statutes. This position also provides assistance to and coordination with other sections and program areas of the Office in pursuit of the overall mission to preserve, restore and protect the beaches and coastal ecosystems of Florida. SCUBA certification is required to conduct site inspections and environmental assessments of nearshore and offshore marine habitats. REQUIRED-ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILL(s) & ABILITIES: Knowledge of and skill in marine or estuarine ecology. Ability to process permit applications according to statutes, rules and procedures. Ability to meet statutory time clocks and internal deadlines. Ability to collect, analyze, evaluate and interpret scientific and technical data. Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. Ability to plan and conduct field inspections. Ability to prepare technical reports. Knowledge of personal computers. Ability to use software for word processing and GIS. Ability to travel including single and multi day trips. Skill in driving a car and SCUBA diving; and ability to maintain a valid drivers license and open water SCUBA certification. Ability to understand and implement Florida's water quality standards. ***************************************************************************** *************************************************************** NOTE: Males 18-26 years of age who are or were required to register with the U. S. Selective Service and have not done so are ineligible for employment or promotion. NOTE: New hires are normally at base of salary range. To apply, submit a State of Florida Employment Application to the individual whose name appears above by the application deadline date of: NOVEMBER 5, 2001 (or until position is filled) ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From szmanta at uncwil.edu Thu Nov 1 15:26:27 2001 From: szmanta at uncwil.edu (Alina M. Szmant) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 15:26:27 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011101094818.00b55098@mail.waquarium.org> References: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101121201.00aa59f0@pop.uncwil.edu> <3BE0F510.7030205@reefs.org> <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101152300.00ab7010@pop.uncwil.edu> Charles: You make an excellent point that supports and improves upon my suggestion: I suggest that only maricultured animals be used in the aquarium trade, and your improvement is the idea that the natives be helped and taught to be the ones doing the mariculture. Sounds like a win-win situation to me! Alina Szmant At 10:01 AM 11/01/2001 -1000, Charles Delbeek wrote: >At 12:23 PM 11/1/2001 -0500, you wrote: >>Dear Bill: >> >>I think that what Prasanna is intimating in her message is that >>collecting by whomever for the aquarium trade causes the damage because >>the aquarium trade provides a market for the captured fishes. Obviously >>the pet store owner in Chicago or the aquarium owner in Santa Fe are not >>the ones destroying the reef while collecting, but by paying for the >>fishes with good ol' $$ they provide the economic incentive for the >>hard-pressed Fijians or other natives to do the destruction. Peoples in >>the countries that use destructive fishing practices are usually poor and >>have few ways in which to make a living. The short term benefit far >>outweighs the long-term damage to them. If we don't buy, they can't >>sell, and then there is no use to the collecting and it will eventually stop. >> >>The solution you bring up of captive breeding is what is needed for the >>reef aquarium industry. Few freshwater aquarium fishes come from >>wild-caught stocks and maybe it is time for marine aquarists to limit >>their hobby to only those species that can be maricultured. > >This is a commonly suggested solution, however, it does not take into >account the issue of what will replace this income for villagers. If there >is no longer a market for their fish or corals, how then will they earn >money to feed their families? It is more likely that they will turn to >other activities that will most likely be just as, if not more damaging, >than what they are currently doing e.g. blast fishing, reef mining, >selling off coastal areas to developers, forestry companies etc etc. What >most of the people working on this problem and actually working in the >field with these people realize is that sustainable usage of reefs is the >best option. By educating the locals on sustaniable practices such as >growing their own coral or farming their own seahorses, the reef takes on >added value and creates a greater demand for protection. While captive >breeding offers the potential to alleviate some of the demand for fishes, >the % of captive reared fishes currently available is minuscule and does >not come close to meeting the demand. > >Aloha! > >J. Charles Delbeek >Aquarium Biologist >Waikiki Aquarium >2777 Kalakaua Ave. >Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 >808-923-9741 >808-923-1771 FAX ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From williams at convex.hhmi.columbia.edu Thu Nov 1 16:18:30 2001 From: williams at convex.hhmi.columbia.edu (John Williams) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 16:18:30 -0500 (EST) Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <200111011902.fA1J2Uu22307@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: While I havent been diving, I will take your point that it is likely that the reef aquarium trade is making a significant impact on the reefs. However, from the aquarist that I have met it is clear that they try their very best to provide a high quality habitat for the fish. Those who do usually acquire 4 or 5 fish and keep them for many years. On the other hand, it is likely that many people get into the hobby and do not know much about the requirements of keeping a fish. They may go through a large number of fish, probably view them as expendible like some feel about goldfish. Also, a number of pet stores seem to keep these fish because they may feel like they need to cover all their bases. I am sure a good number of petstores (chain stores in particular) account for a large percentage of the fish demise. While aquaculturing efforts have been only successful for handful of fish, these successful cases only came from careful efforts and alot of time. It is probably possible now to stop collecting clown fish altogther. It may be worth noting that there is alot that has been and will be learnt from these aquariums. You may also be suprised by the education level of many of those keeping reef aquariums. Finally, I would also point out that the reef aquarist have had tremendous success at captively propogating a large number of corals. This success may be very important in the future. One case that comes to mind is how the california vineyards rescued the french vineyard when their grapes came undersiege of a fungal blight. Anyway, the upshot of all of this is a proposal seeking a comprise. People who wish to maintain reef aqauriums need to pass a test demonstrating some level of understanding before being allowed to keep these fish. Shops selling fish would have to pass the same test or something more rigorous, should be periodically check to ensure high quality water conditions/habitat in general, and would require anyone wanting to purchase a fish to show some id. The health department already checks petstores anyway - outfitting them with a few test kits for NH3/Ca/pH etc wouldnt be difficult. As much as I hate to add any more goverment, the proposal would make people aware of what they are getting into, it would discourage chain stores for overstocking and creating lethal habitats for these fish. It would likely drive up the price of the fish and therefore encourage more captive breeding efforts. In all, this could reduce the collecting load on the reefs. Now, I imagine that I would be electronically whipped which is one reason I generally just listen. Regardless, I hope this proposal is taken for what its worth - just an idea to try to help both camps. cheers, john On Fri, 2 Nov 2001, Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: > Bill and others > > I still think that you have no clue what goes on down here. Unfortunately > the poor fish collectors down here have no access to computers or internet > (many would be barely literate at that matter)and they will never know of > what their paymasters (i.e. the aquarist)do or would want them to do either. > > The locals always used the reef fish for food; and the traditional methods > and levels of harvest were sustainable and non destructive. The collection > of ornamentals is not traditional and was began and is sustained by the > demand by the aquarist. So I do blame the aquarist for the fate of the reef > at the hands of the local collectors. I don't think you can come clean on > this; The aquarist remain the driving force of the collector, and in a way > your attitude that the aquarist and the fish collector are disconnected > illustrates the point - that the aquarist is not aware or care about their > effects on far away unseen reefs. (Out of sight - out of mind???) > > If the aquarists do care they should be willing to voluntarily adjust the > demand of the trade to match the changing situation on the reefs. and > pressurize the 'middle man' the Fish exporter to adapt responsible trade > regulations and in turn impose conservation minded controls (techniques, > awareness and practices) among their fish collector groups in the field. > This is the rock on which we are forced to bash our heads to bring some > relief to the reef fauna. Against money driven politics it is difficult to > bring in regulation from bottom up. so may be the aquarists could look at a > top down approach to this problem "if they care". > > I would be perhaps the happiest if the aquarists are successful at breeding > and growing fish and inverts on their tanks(no more extraction and perhaps a > few re-introductions...). But if that is not the sink hole to which our fish > go I have no clue where they do go. > > Forgive me for my stubbornness, It's just that I have to be afraid for every > little colorful fish recruiting on the reefs where I work; knowing that > their days on the reef are very very short. And we have to (though with much > regret)scare the fish and teach them to be wary of divers in order to retain > at least a few so that they would grow up on the reef and hopefully breed. > > Perhaps I hope for too much. > > Best wishes > > Prasanna > > > > > At 11:09 PM 31-10-01 -0800, you wrote: > >Prasanna, > > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local > >collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect > >for their own tank. In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral > >exporter in the world I believe, most collection was done by local > >Fijians. They then transfer the livestock to the various companies > >exporting it. During my stay there I also became aware of the various > >destructive habits of Fijians upon their own reefs. I heard of local > >Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was illegal since January, an > >article was published in the Fiji Times about how two turtles from a > >research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. I also > >witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. I inquired > >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to > >the ocean soon. I also witnessed various large breeding size fish > >including specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium > >trade eaten for food. Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but > >eating of breeding fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish > >population and variety of the reef. > > > > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many > >have become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While > >I might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look > >at various sites that have been created because of the hobby. > > > >Online magazine created for hobby: > >http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp > >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: > >http://www.orafarm.com/ > >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: http://www.reefs.org > > > >While you state > > > >"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or > >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build > >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home." > > > >I implore you inform yourself of the current situation of reef keeping in > the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or defensive, but the > aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and inverts, many of the > animals that are now imported are now being captive grown and bred. I invite > you to join the reef keeping community as an outside observer and if you > still believe we don't have a clue after 6 months of active participation > then so be it. > >Bill Crockett > >www.reefs.org > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: > > > >>I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore enlightened lot > >>than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there is one or two) Down > >>here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is re-settling hundreds of > >>pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to extract the fish from their > >>hiding places)supplying the aquarium industry. Post to the 1998 bleaching > >>event the reefs down here have suffered tremendously with less than 50% of > >>the reefs remaining and struggling to survive. there is significant loss in > >>fish abundance and diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so > >>"understanding or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same > >>rate. they still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to > >>the last one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers > >>exported it is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no > >>longer viable; than because of the sensitive Reef keeper hobbyists > >>voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live exotics to give a chance > >>for the reefs to recover. > >> > >>I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or > >>care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build > >>"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. May be the > >>recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and make > >>the aquarists aware. > >> > >>The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that livens their living > >>room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective predation by > >>the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of > >>what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. > >> > >>My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with > >>aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance effects of their > >>hobbies on a daily basis. > >> > >>Prasanna > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you wrote: > >> > >>>At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote: > >>> > >>>>Without recreational divers the academic community has NO hope of > >>>>spreading the word about the plight of the world's reefs. > >>>> > >>>I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large % of "reef aware" > >>>individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community .. since these > >>>individuals have a great deal of experience with what is necessary for > >>>healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of their delicacy. > >>>This is also a very useful group when it comes to spreading awareness of > >>>corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general public. I know several > >>>hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary students visit their > >>>homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about coral reefs in general. > >>> > >>>Aloha! > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>>J. Charles Delbeek > >>>Aquarium Biologist > >>>Waikiki Aquarium > >>>2777 Kalakaua Ave. > >>>Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 > >>>808-923-9741 > >>>808-923-1771 FAX > >>> > >>>~~~~~~~ > >>>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >>>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > >>>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >>~~~~~~~ > >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > >>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > >Prasanna,
> >    Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits > of the local collectors > >and as far as I know there are very few people that collect for their own > >tank.  In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral exporter in the world > >I believe, most collection was done by local Fijians.  They then transfer > >the livestock to the various companies exporting it.   During my stay > there > >I also became aware of the various destructive habits of Fijians upon their > >own reefs.  I heard of local Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was > >illegal since January, an article was published in the Fiji Times about how > >two turtles from a research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. > > I also witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. >  I inquired > >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to the > >ocean soon.  I also witnessed various large breeding size fish including > >specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium trade eaten for > >food.  Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but eating of breeding > >fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish population and variety > >of the reef.
> >
> >     While most reef keepers are not marine biologists > by title many have > >become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby.  While I > might > >defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at various > >sites that have been created because of the hobby.
> >
> >Online magazine created for hobby: href="http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp">http://ww > w.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp
> >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: class="moz-txt-link-freetext" > href="http://www.orafarm.com/">http://www.orafarm.com/
> >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: href="http://www.reefs.org">http://www.reefs.org
> >
> >While you state > >
"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on
> down here, or
care how much they are contributing to the destruction of
> the reefs to build
"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at
> home."

I implore you inform yourself of the current situation
> of reef keeping in the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or
> defensive, but the aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and
> inverts, many of the animals that are now imported are now being
> captive grown and bred. I invite you to join the reef keeping community as
> an outside observer and if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6
> months of active participation then so be it.
Bill Crockett
 class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
> href="http://www.reefs.org">www.reefs.org
> >
> >
> >
> >  
> >
> >
> >
> >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote:
> >
> > 
I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore
> enlightened lot
than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there
> is one or two) Down
here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is
> re-settling hundreds of
pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to
> extract the fish from their
hiding places)supplying the aquarium
> industry.  Post to the 1998 bleaching
event the reefs down here have
> suffered tremendously with less than 50% of
the reefs remaining and
> struggling to survive. there is significant loss in
fish abundance and
> diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so
"understanding
> or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same
rate. they
> still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to
the last
> one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers
exported it
> is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no
longer
> viable; than because of the sensitive Reef ke
> >eper hobbyists
voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live
> exotics to give a chance
for the reefs to recover.

I don't think
> the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or
care how much
> they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build
"pretty
> little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home.  May be
> the
recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and
> make
the aquarists aware.

The aquarists should know that every
> colourful fish that livens their living
room makes the reefs less and
> less colourful as the selective predation by
the trade is leaving the
> reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of
what such high intensity
> selective extraction does to the reef ecology. 

My apologies if I
> sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with
aquarists when you
> are struggling with the long distance effects of their
hobbies on a daily
> basis. 

Prasanna


 >>








At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you
> wrote:
> >
> > 
At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote:
> >
> > 
Without recreational divers the academic community has
> NO hope of 
spreading the word about the plight of the world's
> reefs.
> >
> > 
I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large
> % of "reef aware" 
individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community
> .. since these 
individuals have a great deal of experience with what is
> necessary for 
healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of
> their delicacy. 
This is also a very useful group when it comes to
> spreading awareness of 
corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general
> public. I know several 
hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary
> students visit their 
homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about
> coral reefs in general.

Aloha!




J. Charles
> Delbeek
Aquarium Biologist
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua
> Ave.
Honolulu, HI, USA 96815
808-923-9741
808-923-1771
> FAX

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to
> coral-list or the
digests, please visit  class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.coral.noaa.gov">www
> >.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
menu bar, then click on
> Coral-List Listserver.



> >
> > 

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and
> unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please visit  class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
> href="http://www.coral.noaa.gov">www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on
> the
menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.


> >
> >
> > > > > > > Prasanna Weerakkody > Nature Conservation Group > No.9, Balapokuna place, > Colombo 6. > Sri Lanka > > E-mail: firefish at sltnet.lk > Ph: 941-856041 > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jesmith at hawaii.edu Thu Nov 1 18:44:38 2001 From: jesmith at hawaii.edu (Jennifer E Smith) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 13:44:38 -1000 (HST) Subject: Ocean Sciences 2002 Message-ID: Appologies for any cross postings. Friends and Colleagues, This is just a friendly reminder to let you all know that the deadline for abstract submission for the ASLO/AGU Ocean Sciences 2002 meeting in Honolulu, HI this Feb. is about a week away. All abstracts must be submitted electronically by Nov 8, at 1:00 eastern time. John Runcie and myself would like to encourage anyone conducting innovative research on nutrient dynamics in coastal ecosystems (physical or biological processes) to submit abstracts to the following session (abstract follows): OS42 Nutrient Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems: Linking Physical and Biological Processes More information can be obtained at the following site: http://www.agu.org/meetings/os02top.html Student travel awards are available through AGU-see web page for more details. If you have any questions please feel free to contact John or myself. Abstract OS42: Understanding the relative importance of natural and human-induced elevated-nutrient events on coastal ecosystems is an important global issue. As yet there are few clear answers. Considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the hydrology of coastal waters, the ecology of the organisms living in these waters and their physiology; and nutrient dynamics have been an important component in many of these studies. Yet, of these studies, few cross the traditional lines of discipline. In temperate regions, upwelling and large scale physical processes have long been shown to deliver substantial levels of nutrients to coastal ecosytems, thereby supporting high biomass communities such as kelp forests. In contrast, tropical marine communities are generally considered to be nutrient limited where they exist on tightly recycled and newly generated nutrients. However, recent research has shown that not all tropical areas conform to this paradigm. The effects of localized and large scale physical processes on tropical benthic or pelagic communities remains largely unstudied. Anthropogenic nutrient imputs in both temperate and tropical regions have often been suggested as the primary cause of large scale phase shifts in benthic marine communities. The precise role of nutrients in these ecosystem-wide changes remains largely debated. This session is intended to be a forum where researchers from a variety of disciplines present their views of how best we can understand the real influence of elevated nutrients on coastal ecosystems. An integral part of the session is to open the floor for discussion in the form of open questions for any of the speakers in the session. We hope to break down some of the barriers between researchers traditionally working in separate fields. Conveners: John Runcie, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1346, Kaneohe, HI 96744 USA, Tel: (808) 236 7477, Fax: (808) 236 7443, email: runcie at hawaii.edu, and Jennifer Smith, University of Hawaii Manoa, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: (808) 956-3943, email: jesmith at hawaii.edu ******************************************************************** Jennifer E. Smith Graduate Research Assistant Botany Department University of Hawaii Manoa 3190 Maile Way Honolulu HI 96822 office (808)956-3944 email: jesmith at hawaii.edu http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/GradStud/smith/JENHOME.htm ********************************************************************* ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Thu Nov 1 20:02:36 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 20:02:36 -0500 Subject: Guesstimate as to age of this coral? Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011101194909.00d1e840@localhost> Hi CoralHedz! I have three photos of the same coral head. I really need a good estimate as to the age of this particular Pocillopora eydouxi. Details. It grew in about 25 feet on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Temperature loggers show a temperature range of about 27 C in August and about 24 during February through April for this area. Here is a portion of the coral in 1988. In 1989 and 1991. About how many years would this head have been growing to reach that size? Many thanks, Ursula TURTLE TRAX http://www.turtles.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From leroy at garf.org Thu Nov 1 22:19:02 2001 From: leroy at garf.org ((GARF) LeRoy & Sally Jo Headlee) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 20:19:02 -0700 Subject: I hope someone can help Dustin Message-ID: >Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 10:32:27 -0800 (PST) >From: Dustin Wing >Subject: Peace Corps volunteers at aquaculture facilities? >To: Leroy at garf.org > >Leroy: >I really enjoyed the presentation that you and Sally >gave at MACNA this year. It is great to learn new >techniques for propagating coral. > >I am in the process of applying for the Peace Corps >and I was wondering if you are aware of any >aquaculture facilities that use Peace Corps >volunteers. The Peace Corps' website lists >"environmental projects" with coral reefs in Palau, >Micronesia, and the Philippians. The reason that I am >asking you is the Peace Corps recruiters that I am >speaking with cannot tell me really what is going on >in specific projects. I am hoping that you may have >come in contact with some aquaculture facilities that >are using volunteers or know of someone that I could >follow-up with. > >Of all the strange questions that you get during the >day, this must come close to the top. I appreciate >any help that you may be able to offer. Thank you. > >Dustin Wing LeRoy Headlee Director of Research Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation http://www.garf.org 800-600-6163 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From firefish at sltnet.lk Thu Nov 1 22:28:57 2001 From: firefish at sltnet.lk (Prasanna Weerakkody) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 09:28:57 +0600 (GMT) Subject: Divers and Fish Message-ID: <200111020328.fA23Suu25340@laknet.slt.lk> Firstly I apologize that I have still not been able to visit all the suggested Web sites as Internet access is not as proliferate as it should be down here as yet. but I promise I shall check them out shortly, in the mean while I hope you would bear with me. I do by no means insinuate that the Aquarium trade is "the main reason " for reef degradation. (CO2 emissions do a better job than that anyway) but it is still among the major reef problems list. I take it up not because the Aquarium trade is an easy dog to kick as Mike suggests(far from it- the local exporters have a strong political lobby that makes it one of the most difficult issues to bring under management). and besides the Aquarium trade we are having a better luck keeping the "bigger dogs" at bay (we blocked the second biggest port development in the country from materializing on top of a major reef after fighting for a decade in addition to many other issues). I spend most of my time in reef restoration not in hounding the aquarium trade. Mike said.. "Done right, marine fish harvesting can have very little impact (i.e. via net) Obviously, there needs to be some control there. If a species is in decline, the exporters need to tell the collectors that they do not want the fish, and to not buy them either. It is because this is not done that there are problems." Most aquarists are selective of Cyanide caught fishes, But as you suggest mainly due the specimens that arrive at the aquarium being far from healthy. We do not have Cyanide fishing in Sri Lanka and our exporters make this a point to say that they are conscious. But what they fail to say is that instead; they have a net fondly referred to as the " Moxy net". to put a long story briefly; in operation this net has a effect similar to a small blast of dynamite on the reef. No not all nets are benign, specially when operated by untrained divers. And secondly I hope to take your suggestion for control few steps further. The driving force in the whole chain of events is the Aquarist. and If as you say they are concerned you should be the motivating force for control as well. don't leave the responsibility to the exporter. they are only interested in your money. So let it be a trickle down of a demand for responsibility that starts from the aquarists telling the pet shops -> who tell the exporters -> who would then have no option but to regularize the collectors. Fautin brings up a very important issue. In fact my main lobbying for local trade control has been with the trade in Invertebrates. comparatively they do not show the levels of population resilience that you would see in "Fish". (I used the term collectively). I can just bring in two local examples. firstly the large Anemones(Heteractis, Stichodactyla etc.); during the early 1980's we used to see the larger varieties regularly, and gradually disappearing following the pattern of the spread of Aquarium collector on the coastline. Two decades since there are NO (ZERO) large Anemones in any of the 'coastal reefs' in the area where I work. The collectors are chasing them deeper and deeper and in to un-explored reefs. But the populations have failed to return. A second case in point was the Slate pencil urchin (Heterocentrotus sp.) a common species on reefs which was decimated due to a focussed collection sometime around 1986. The species only returned to the reefs in 1999 where a recruitment event finally occurred. I can add to the list but this would suffice. Similarly with the Obligate corallivours what we call the "Cut flower" species... Species that like a flower cut from the plant is still beautiful but will soon wither-away and die. I think this thread is moving in a very constructive direction. Many of the most Aquarium trade related issues and myths are coming out into discussion. and I hope will lead to a better outcome and shift in thinking and practice. Let me cap.. correct me if I am wrong please. 1. The aquarium trade has come a long way and there are successes in breeding tropical marines... But it will be a long long time till when we see enough sureness to make a difference to the numbers collected from the wild. 2. It is not realistic to expect the Aquarists will voluntarily pay double or treble for a captive bred fish when you can get a wild caught for far cheaper. So the wild collection will continue. 3. And while I would fully agree that there are expert Aquarists who would not need many fish to keep an aquarium going; to Exporters skilled enough to reduce transit mortality to almost nil; to Ace collectors who would catch anything on a reef with a hand net without any damage to coral... This is only the minority. The mass is untrained and lack skills needed. They make up the problem. They are the "Pit" that drains the system. There need to be a system of regulation and training at all levels and may be an introduction of a permit system based on skill and training that says who can do what.(expanding on John's comments) 4. Despite all that you do there, the effects of the trade on the reef continue unabated. The connection is not there... and We will continue picking up the pieces. What else?? All said and done the trade has become a part of the lifestyle of the coastal comunities. this cannot be changed overnight. the wellbeing of the population is important to ensuring the survival of the reef. The trade need not Go. just be more responsible, managed and skilled. Regards Prasanna ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From capman at augsburg.edu Thu Nov 1 23:49:43 2001 From: capman at augsburg.edu (capman at augsburg.edu) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 22:49:43 -0600 Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: <200111020328.fA23Suu25340@laknet.slt.lk> References: <200111020328.fA23Suu25340@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: In addition to the increasing successes in captive breeding of reef fish for the aquarium trade, many thus far unbreedable species of reef fish are now being offered for sale (in some of the more responsible aquarium shops anyway) that have apparently been captured from the wild as planktonic larvae (presumably close to the time when they would be settling out on the reef) and raised up to salable size in captivity. It would seem that as long as there are viable breeding populations on the reefs to produce these larvae this might prove to be a much more environmentally sound way of providing fish for the aquarium trade (if the breeding populations on the reefs are fished out this isn't going to work though, of course!). It would seem to me that the probability of depleting populations by collecting larvae would be much lower than from collecting fish from the reefs themselves, and there would be little to no damage to the reefs as a result of these collecting efforts. However, reality is not always as one supposes when viewed from thousands of miles away. So my question for the group is: are any of you familiar with these operations? Are they in fact as low-impact as they seem to be? Do you think there is much potential for local people in the vicinity of the reefs to be able to benefit from such an approach (e.g. by the establishment of rearing facilities), or is this probably going to be an approach mostly carried out by fish farms distant from the sources of the larvae. It seems that for local people to embrace the protection of their local coral reefs they will need to perceive the reefs as providing them with some benefits. Bill ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Mark.Spalding at unep-wcmc.org Fri Nov 2 04:59:47 2001 From: Mark.Spalding at unep-wcmc.org (Mark Spalding) Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 09:59:47 +0000 Subject: Divers and Fish Message-ID: I've been following this with interest, and am a bit surprised that we haven't heard directly from the Marine Aquarium Council. Later this month they will be launching a certification scheme for the marine aquarium trade. This, I hope, will be providing certification enabling purchasers to identify fish which have been sustainably harvested, using non-damaging techniques. Whether you are strongly pro, strongly anti or on the fence this has to be a useful step? To be valuable, a certification scheme has to be well researched and monitored. In which case the poor practises we have been hearing about in Sri Lanka would never gain certification, but in a few years might see their markets drying up...and might then clean their act up. Surely IF this fishery could be made sustainable and non-damaging, with all the right controls and balances, then it is a potentially valuable industry for the reefs themselves? Providing a good income and foreign exchange earnings will give a value to the reefs which may ensure their preservation. Chasing the local people off reefs will reduce any interest in looking after them. Mark __________________________________________ Mark Spalding, PhD Senior Marine Ecologist UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre www.unep-wcmc.org 219 Huntingdon Road Tel: +44 (0)1223 277314 Cambridge, CB3 0DL Fax: +44 (0)1223 277136 UK e-mail:mark.spalding at unep-wcmc.org or Research Associate Cambridge Coastal Research Unit Department of Geography Downing St Cambridge UK --------------------------------------------------------------- This E-mail and any attachments are private, intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, they have been sent to you in error: any use of information in them is strictly prohibited. The employer reserves the right to monitor the content of the message and any reply received. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jneviackas at yahoo.com Fri Nov 2 08:27:21 2001 From: jneviackas at yahoo.com (Justin Neviackas) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 05:27:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20011102132721.34311.qmail@web11003.mail.yahoo.com> Someone mentioned that there are "responsible Aquarium shops" that are trapping pre-settlement larvae and raising them in captivitiy to a marketable size. Does anyone know the contact information of any of these shops? Thinking about the logistical problems of this capturing plan, in addition to the supply/demand issues of the aquarium trade, it seems that this scheme would be very expensive. --- Mark Spalding wrote: > I've been following this with interest, and am a bit > surprised that we haven't heard directly from the > Marine Aquarium Council. Later this month they will > be launching a certification scheme for the marine > aquarium trade. This, I hope, will be providing > certification enabling purchasers to identify fish > which have been sustainably harvested, using > non-damaging techniques. Whether you are strongly > pro, strongly anti or on the fence this has to be a > useful step? > > To be valuable, a certification scheme has to be > well researched and monitored. In which case the > poor practises we have been hearing about in Sri > Lanka would never gain certification, but in a few > years might see their markets drying up...and might > then clean their act up. > > Surely IF this fishery could be made sustainable and > non-damaging, with all the right controls and > balances, then it is a potentially valuable industry > for the reefs themselves? Providing a good income > and foreign exchange earnings will give a value to > the reefs which may ensure their preservation. > Chasing the local people off reefs will reduce any > interest in looking after them. > > Mark > > __________________________________________ > > Mark Spalding, PhD > Senior Marine Ecologist > UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre > www.unep-wcmc.org > 219 Huntingdon Road > Tel: +44 (0)1223 277314 > Cambridge, CB3 0DL > Fax: +44 (0)1223 277136 > UK > e-mail:mark.spalding at unep-wcmc.org > or > Research Associate > Cambridge Coastal Research Unit > Department of Geography > Downing St > Cambridge > UK > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > This E-mail and any attachments are private, > intended solely for > the use of the addressee. If you are not the > intended recipient, > they have been sent to you in error: any use of > information in > them is strictly prohibited. > > The employer reserves the right to monitor the > content of > the message and any reply received. > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to > coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on > Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > ===== Justin Neviackas Boston University Marine Program Research Technician 508-289-7516 "Refuse to be ordinary" -SR "Stupidity prevents the advancement of knowledge!" - Dr. Ingrid Kaatz __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find a job, post your resume. http://careers.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From b.e at mweb.co.za Fri Nov 2 08:29:57 2001 From: b.e at mweb.co.za (Bridget Armstrong) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 15:29:57 +0200 Subject: mantis shrimps crisis Message-ID: <014e01c163a2$7afdf500$2c201ec4@kznwildlife.com> Dear coral-listers I am forwarding this to you as I know there is a lot of expertise on tropical systems out there, and perhaps someone can help: Please see the urgent message below from Selby Remie who is our IUCN contact in the Seychelles (a state member of IUCN) and the person largely responsible for environmental affiars in government. Does anyone have an answer to any of Selby's questions or do we know who can address this problem URGENTLY? Clearly there is urgency if the temptation is there to eat these shrimps as the wash up on the shore. So any response would be greately appreciated - direct to Selby and/or to us at EARO and/or to Mariano at IUCN Species programme at HQ in Gland (mgd at iucn.org) This is one of the reasons for having a group in our region - so can we find the answers quickly? With regards, Geoffrey Howard Regional Programme Coordinator for IUCN in Eastern Africa > -----Original Message----- > From: Selby Remie [SMTP:sel82 at hotmail.com] > Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 8:57 AM > To: mail at iucnearo.org > Subject: > > > Attention Geofrey > > > Dear Geofrey, > > Can you please assist urgently. We have a strange thing happening in > Seychelles. There are million of matis shrimps being washed up on various > beaches. According to SFA this phenomenon extend to east Africa and > Zanzibar. Can you please confirm. Can you also try and offer explanation > as > to why this is happening. I cannot identify the specie yet. It is small > max > lengt 8cm. greenish. I think it is an Orastosquilla, but this is only > based > on a not so accurate ID guide. > > Some people want to eat this shrimp. I know it will be difficult for you > to > confirm if this is safe, but I am assuming that you know of similar > instances. Please reply urgently, because this is hot news right now and > it > is necessary for us to produce a plausible explanation quickly. > > Thanks > > Selby -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011102/e26bc37f/attachment.html From osha at oshadavidson.com Fri Nov 2 08:58:20 2001 From: osha at oshadavidson.com (Osha Gray Davidson) Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 07:58:20 -0600 Subject: Aspergillus Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011102074503.01a590d0@mail.oshadavidson.com> A fellow list member wrote and pointed out that in writing about coral diseases I incorrectly identified Aspergillus (the pathogen infecting sea fans) as a bacterium. It's a fungus. Sorry. Also, references on aspergillosis include: Nagelkerken, Ivan, et al. ?Widespread disease in Caribbean sea fans,? Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 160, 15 December 1997, pp. 255-263. Nagelkerken, Ivan, et al. ?Widespread disease in Caribbean sea fans,? Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, Vol. 1. 1997, pp. 679-682. Smith, Garriet, et al. ?Caribbean sea fan mortalities,? Nature, Vol. 383, 10 October 1996, p. 487. Harvell, Drew, et al. ?Emerging Marine Diseases?Climate Links and Anthropogenic Factors,? Science, 3 September 1999, pp. 1505-1510. Geiser, David, et al. ?Cause of sea fan death in the West Indies,? Nature, Vol. 394, 9 July 1998, pp. 137-138. Cheers, Osha ================================ Osha Gray Davidson Home page: www.OshaDavidson.com 14 S. Governor St. Phone: 319-338-4778 Iowa City, IA 52240 E-Mail: osha at oshadavidson.com USA "Fire in the Turtle House" http://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/books/fire.html Book Tour: http://oshadavidson.com/TurtleTour.htm The Turtle House Foundation: www.turtlehousefoundation.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011102/2941f3bc/attachment.html From excofier at nevada.grenoble.hp.com Fri Nov 2 09:58:54 2001 From: excofier at nevada.grenoble.hp.com (David Excoffier) Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 15:58:54 +0100 Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: <20011102132721.34311.qmail@web11003.mail.yahoo.com> References: Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20011102155854.007c3ac0@nevada.grenoble.hp.com> Hello Justin, At 05:27 02/11/01 -0800, you wrote: > Someone mentioned that there are "responsible >Aquarium shops" that are trapping pre-settlement >larvae and raising them in captivitiy to a marketable >size. I don't know if shops that are, directly doing that, exist. What I know is that some shops (at least in France) are selling fishes that have been catched as post-larvae (when they come back to the reef) and raised in captivity (in the south of France in the my case). >Does anyone know the contact information of any >of these shops? Thinking about the logistical >problems of this capturing plan, in addition to the >supply/demand issues of the aquarium trade, it seems >that this scheme would be very expensive. Just have a look at the link that I've posted yesterday http://www.aqua-fish.com/ there is an English speaking part (not visited). >From the aquarist side it is not much more expensive (often the same price but smaller because younger), and you have the guarantee that the fish has not been cyanid caught so will not die because of that, that it will eat with no problem as post larvae are raised using dry food, etc ... I don't know how many fishes they are able to raise per month (some of them are sent back to the reef), it's quite new in France (perhaps existing in other coutries but I've never heard that). There is also on our web site a page on this (in French...). Regards, David -- Membre de l'ARA (http://www.aquarium-recifal.com ) Co-nettoyeur d'Aquamer. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu Thu Nov 1 17:30:22 2001 From: fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu (FAUTIN DAPHNE G) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 16:30:22 -0600 (CST) Subject: divers and fish Message-ID: <200111021457.OAA51755@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> The focus of most of this discussion has been on fish. Invertebrates are increasingly popular with marine aquarists and many do poorly in captivity. Among these are the sea anemones that are host to clownfishes. They may live many decades and perhaps a century or more in nature, but an attentive, talented aquarist is lucky to keep one alive five years. Judging from the number of requests I receive to diagnose problems with sick anemones, few aquarists are that attentive, talented, or just plain lucky. Collecting an animal (or buying one someone else has collected) prevents it from contributing to future generations of anemones (like elephants, it appears that these large animals live long and reproduce slowly) as well as depriving current and future generations of clownfishes of homes. I am all for captive propagation, and have challenged marine aquarists never to purchase a wild-caught animal again. Clownfishes are a good example of an easily bred, popular fish. But, as I understand, they cannot be produced sufficiently cheaply to compete with wild-caught ones (they are sitting ducks in nature), and aquarists are unwilling to pay the premium necessary for such conservation. A clownfish, by the way, does not require an anemone in captivity -- even to reproduce. The fish need anemones in nature to provide protection from predators that are absent in captivity. Captive propagation of most invertebrates is another story. A very few, like *Tridacna*, are captive bred. That word is commonly used for corals, but, to my knowledge, all captive propagation (the correct term) of corals is by "fragging" -- breaking off fragments of colonies that then generate more polyps. The assortment of corals that can be kept is impressive, but it is far from all corals, and certainly those that are not colonial are not being captively propagated. I think the grape analogy is not apt -- both European and American grapes were crops. There has been limited success with reintroductions of wild animals from captive populations. The California Condor is one on which the jury is still out. Some small marsupials in Australia seem to do OK as long as the introduced predators that caused their demise are controlled. But for animals that are declining because their habitat is disappearing, I have little hope -- where can they be reintroduced to? And that is my worry about reef denizens. Daphne Fautin On Thu, 1 Nov 2001, John Williams wrote: > Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 16:18:30 -0500 (EST) > From: John Williams > To: Prasanna Weerakkody > Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Subject: Re: divers and fish > > > While I havent been diving, I will take your point that it is likely that > the reef aquarium trade is making a significant impact on the reefs. > However, from the aquarist that I have met it is clear that they try their > very best to provide a high quality habitat for the fish. Those who do > usually acquire 4 or 5 fish and keep them for many years. On the other > hand, it is likely that many people get into the hobby and do not know > much about the requirements of keeping a fish. They may go through a > large number of fish, probably view them as expendible like some feel > about goldfish. Also, a number of pet stores seem to keep these fish > because they may feel like they need to cover all their bases. I am sure > a good number of petstores (chain stores in particular) account for a > large percentage of the fish demise. > > While aquaculturing efforts have been only successful for handful of fish, > these successful cases only came from careful efforts and alot of time. It > is probably possible now to stop collecting clown fish altogther. It may > be worth noting that there is alot that has been and will be learnt from > these aquariums. You may also be suprised by the education level of many > of those keeping reef aquariums. Finally, I would also point out that the > reef aquarist have had tremendous success at captively propogating a large > number of corals. This success may be very important in the future. One > case that comes to mind is how the california vineyards rescued the french > vineyard when their grapes came undersiege of a fungal blight. > > Anyway, the upshot of all of this is a proposal seeking a comprise. > People who wish to maintain reef aqauriums need to pass a test > demonstrating some level of understanding before being allowed to keep > these fish. Shops selling fish would have to pass the same test or > something more rigorous, should be periodically check to ensure high > quality water conditions/habitat in general, and would require anyone > wanting to purchase a fish to show some id. The health department already > checks petstores anyway - outfitting them with a few test kits for > NH3/Ca/pH etc wouldnt be difficult. As much as I hate to add any more > goverment, the proposal would make people aware of what they are getting > into, it would discourage chain stores for overstocking and creating > lethal habitats for these fish. It would likely drive up the price of the > fish and therefore encourage more captive breeding efforts. In all, this > could reduce the collecting load on the reefs. > > Now, I imagine that I would be electronically whipped which is one reason > I generally just listen. Regardless, I hope this proposal is taken for > what its worth - just an idea to try to help both camps. > > cheers, john > > > > On Fri, 2 Nov 2001, Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: > > > Bill and others > > > > I still think that you have no clue what goes on down here. Unfortunately > > the poor fish collectors down here have no access to computers or internet > > (many would be barely literate at that matter)and they will never know of > > what their paymasters (i.e. the aquarist)do or would want them to do either. > > > > The locals always used the reef fish for food; and the traditional methods > > and levels of harvest were sustainable and non destructive. The collection > > of ornamentals is not traditional and was began and is sustained by the > > demand by the aquarist. So I do blame the aquarist for the fate of the reef > > at the hands of the local collectors. I don't think you can come clean on > > this; The aquarist remain the driving force of the collector, and in a way > > your attitude that the aquarist and the fish collector are disconnected > > illustrates the point - that the aquarist is not aware or care about their > > effects on far away unseen reefs. (Out of sight - out of mind???) > > > > If the aquarists do care they should be willing to voluntarily adjust the > > demand of the trade to match the changing situation on the reefs. and > > pressurize the 'middle man' the Fish exporter to adapt responsible trade > > regulations and in turn impose conservation minded controls (techniques, > > awareness and practices) among their fish collector groups in the field. > > This is the rock on which we are forced to bash our heads to bring some > > relief to the reef fauna. Against money driven politics it is difficult to > > bring in regulation from bottom up. so may be the aquarists could look at a > > top down approach to this problem "if they care". > > > > I would be perhaps the happiest if the aquarists are successful at breeding > > and growing fish and inverts on their tanks(no more extraction and perhaps a > > few re-introductions...). But if that is not the sink hole to which our fish > > go I have no clue where they do go. > > > > Forgive me for my stubbornness, It's just that I have to be afraid for every > > little colorful fish recruiting on the reefs where I work; knowing that > > their days on the reef are very very short. And we have to (though with much > > regret)scare the fish and teach them to be wary of divers in order to retain > > at least a few so that they would grow up on the reef and hopefully breed. > > > > Perhaps I hope for too much. > > > > Best wishes > > > > Prasanna > > > > > > > > > > At 11:09 PM 31-10-01 -0800, you wrote: > > >Prasanna, > > > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local > > >collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect > > >for their own tank. In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral > > >exporter in the world I believe, most collection was done by local > > >Fijians. They then transfer the livestock to the various companies > > >exporting it. During my stay there I also became aware of the various > > >destructive habits of Fijians upon their own reefs. I heard of local > > >Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was illegal since January, an > > >article was published in the Fiji Times about how two turtles from a > > >research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. I also > > >witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. I inquired > > >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to > > >the ocean soon. I also witnessed various large breeding size fish > > >including specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium > > >trade eaten for food. Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but > > >eating of breeding fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish > > >population and variety of the reef. > > > > > > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many > > >have become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While > > >I might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look > > >at various sites that have been created because of the hobby. > > > > > >Online magazine created for hobby: > > >http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp > > >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: > > >http://www.orafarm.com/ > > >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: http://www.reefs.org > > > > > >While you state > > > > > >"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or > > >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build > > >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home." > > > > > >I implore you inform yourself of the current situation of reef keeping in > > the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or defensive, but the > > aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and inverts, many of the > > animals that are now imported are now being captive grown and bred. I invite > > you to join the reef keeping community as an outside observer and if you > > still believe we don't have a clue after 6 months of active participation > > then so be it. > > >Bill Crockett > > >www.reefs.org > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: > > > > > >>I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore enlightened lot > > >>than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there is one or two) Down > > >>here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is re-settling hundreds of > > >>pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to extract the fish from their > > >>hiding places)supplying the aquarium industry. Post to the 1998 bleaching > > >>event the reefs down here have suffered tremendously with less than 50% of > > >>the reefs remaining and struggling to survive. there is significant loss in > > >>fish abundance and diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so > > >>"understanding or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same > > >>rate. they still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to > > >>the last one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers > > >>exported it is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no > > >>longer viable; than because of the sensitive Reef keeper hobbyists > > >>voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live exotics to give a chance > > >>for the reefs to recover. > > >> > > >>I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or > > >>care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build > > >>"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. May be the > > >>recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and make > > >>the aquarists aware. > > >> > > >>The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that livens their living > > >>room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective predation by > > >>the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of > > >>what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. > > >> > > >>My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with > > >>aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance effects of their > > >>hobbies on a daily basis. > > >> > > >>Prasanna > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >>At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you wrote: > > >> > > >>>At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote: > > >>> > > >>>>Without recreational divers the academic community has NO hope of > > >>>>spreading the word about the plight of the world's reefs. > > >>>> > > >>>I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large % of "reef aware" > > >>>individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community .. since these > > >>>individuals have a great deal of experience with what is necessary for > > >>>healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of their delicacy. > > >>>This is also a very useful group when it comes to spreading awareness of > > >>>corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general public. I know several > > >>>hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary students visit their > > >>>homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about coral reefs in general. > > >>> > > >>>Aloha! > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>>J. Charles Delbeek > > >>>Aquarium Biologist > > >>>Waikiki Aquarium > > >>>2777 Kalakaua Ave. > > >>>Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 > > >>>808-923-9741 > > >>>808-923-1771 FAX > > >>> > > >>>~~~~~~~ > > >>>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > >>>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > > >>>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >> > > >>~~~~~~~ > > >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > >>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > > >>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Prasanna,
> > >    Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits > > of the local collectors > > >and as far as I know there are very few people that collect for their own > > >tank.  In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral exporter in the world > > >I believe, most collection was done by local Fijians.  They then transfer > > >the livestock to the various companies exporting it.   During my stay > > there > > >I also became aware of the various destructive habits of Fijians upon their > > >own reefs.  I heard of local Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was > > >illegal since January, an article was published in the Fiji Times about how > > >two turtles from a research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. > > > I also witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. > >  I inquired > > >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to the > > >ocean soon.  I also witnessed various large breeding size fish including > > >specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium trade eaten for > > >food.  Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but eating of breeding > > >fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish population and variety > > >of the reef.
> > >
> > >     While most reef keepers are not marine biologists > > by title many have > > >become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby.  While I > > might > > >defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at various > > >sites that have been created because of the hobby.
> > >
> > >Online magazine created for hobby: > href="http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp">http://ww > > w.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp
> > >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: > class="moz-txt-link-freetext" > > href="http://www.orafarm.com/">http://www.orafarm.com/
> > >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: > href="http://www.reefs.org">http://www.reefs.org
> > >
> > >While you state > > >
"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on
> > down here, or
care how much they are contributing to the destruction of
> > the reefs to build
"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at
> > home."

I implore you inform yourself of the current situation
> > of reef keeping in the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or
> > defensive, but the aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and
> > inverts, many of the animals that are now imported are now being
> > captive grown and bred. I invite you to join the reef keeping community as
> > an outside observer and if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6
> > months of active participation then so be it.
Bill Crockett
 > class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
> > href="http://www.reefs.org">www.reefs.org
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >  
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote:
> > >
> > > 
I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore
> > enlightened lot
than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there
> > is one or two) Down
here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is
> > re-settling hundreds of
pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to
> > extract the fish from their
hiding places)supplying the aquarium
> > industry.  Post to the 1998 bleaching
event the reefs down here have
> > suffered tremendously with less than 50% of
the reefs remaining and
> > struggling to survive. there is significant loss in
fish abundance and
> > diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been so
"understanding
> > or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same
rate. they
> > still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to
the last
> > one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers
exported it
> > is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no
longer
> > viable; than because of the sensitive Reef ke
> > >eper hobbyists
voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live
> > exotics to give a chance
for the reefs to recover.

I don't think
> > the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, or
care how much
> > they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build
"pretty
> > little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home.  May be
> > the
recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the reefs and
> > make
the aquarists aware.

The aquarists should know that every
> > colourful fish that livens their living
room makes the reefs less and
> > less colourful as the selective predation by
the trade is leaving the
> > reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of
what such high intensity
> > selective extraction does to the reef ecology. 

My apologies if I
> > sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with
aquarists when you
> > are struggling with the long distance effects of their
hobbies on a daily
> > basis. 

Prasanna


 > >>








At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > 
At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote:
> > >
> > > 
Without recreational divers the academic community has
> > NO hope of 
spreading the word about the plight of the world's
> > reefs.
> > >
> > > 
I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large
> > % of "reef aware" 
individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community
> > .. since these 
individuals have a great deal of experience with what is
> > necessary for 
healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of
> > their delicacy. 
This is also a very useful group when it comes to
> > spreading awareness of 
corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general
> > public. I know several 
hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary
> > students visit their 
homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about
> > coral reefs in general.

Aloha!




J. Charles
> > Delbeek
Aquarium Biologist
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua
> > Ave.
Honolulu, HI, USA 96815
808-923-9741
808-923-1771
> > FAX

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to
> > coral-list or the
digests, please visit  > class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.coral.noaa.gov">www
> > >.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
menu bar, then click on
> > Coral-List Listserver.



> > >
> > > 

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and
> > unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please visit  > class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
> > href="http://www.coral.noaa.gov">www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on
> > the
menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.


> > >
> > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Prasanna Weerakkody > > Nature Conservation Group > > No.9, Balapokuna place, > > Colombo 6. > > Sri Lanka > > > > E-mail: firefish at sltnet.lk > > Ph: 941-856041 > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > > > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > Daphne G. Fautin Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Haworth Hall University of Kansas 1200 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA telephone 1-785-864-3062 fax 1-785-864-5321 for e-mail, please use fautin at ku.edu lab web page: www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones, released 12 July 2001 *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From cdh5 at cornell.edu Fri Nov 2 09:59:51 2001 From: cdh5 at cornell.edu (Drew Harvell) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 09:59:51 -0500 Subject: Aspergillus in the Caribbean Message-ID: Dear List: I second Osha's excellent point about the importance of considering disease processes in declines coral reefs are experiencing. And did also appreciate the "Doomed Coral" thread. I'd also like to add a few more refs from work we've done on the impacts of Aspergillus and resistance of gorgonian corals to fungi. And at the end I've included a paper Gene Shinn and colleagues produced about african dust and aspergillosis. Regards, Drew Kim, K., C. D. Harvell, G. W. Smith, S. M. Merkel, and P. D. Kim. 2000. Role of secondary chemistry in fungal disease resistance of sea fans (Gorgonia spp). Marine Biology 136:259-267. Kim K., P. D. Kim, and C. D. Harvell. 2000. Antifungal properties of gorgonian corals. Marine Biology 137:393-401. Alker, A. G. Smith, and K. Kim. 2001. Characterization of Aspergillus sydowii, a fungal pathogen of CAribbean sea fan corals. Hydrobiologia Kim, K., A. Dobson, F. M. D. Gulland, and C. D. Harvell. 2001. Disease and the conservation of marine diversity. In Conservation of Marine Ecosystems. E. Norse and L. Crowder, eds. Island Press. KIm, K. and C.D. Harvell. 2001. Aspergillosis of seafan corals: dynamics in the Flroida Keys. IN Porter, J and K Porter (eds). Linkages between ecosystemns in the South Florida Hydroscape. CRC, Boca Raton. In press. Shinn et al., Geophysical Research letters 2001. Finally we have a paper coming out in Porter's Disease volume of Hydrobiologia (available any day, I think) about bleaching - disease synergisms in a mass mortality of Briareum. Harvell, C. D., K. Kim, C. Quirolo, G. W. Smith, and J .Weir. 2001. Mass mortality of Briareum asbestinum associated with the 1998 Caribbean coral bleaching. Hydrobiologia. -- Drew Harvell Professor Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology E- 321 Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 VOICE: 607-254-4274 FAX: 607-255-8088 email:cdh5 at cornell.edu http://www.es.cornell.edu/harvell/harvell.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011102/f16b2fb5/attachment.html From Derek.Manzello at noaa.gov Fri Nov 2 09:09:59 2001 From: Derek.Manzello at noaa.gov (Derek Manzello) Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 09:09:59 -0500 Subject: osmotic stress Message-ID: <200111021510.PAA51972@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Hello all, I am student looking at different stress regimes in Caribbean corals. For quite some time I have inquired as to the existence of references related to the physiology of cnidarians in relation to variable salinities and have come up empty. I was hoping that there is somebody out there who has done work (or knows of somebody who has) on the physiological responses/mechanisms of cnidarians under variable salinities? I would greatly appreciate any advice on possible references related to this topic. Thanks, Derek Manzello ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Nov 2 11:55:05 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 11:55:05 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101152300.00ab7010@pop.uncwil.edu> Message-ID: The aquarium trade presents some interesting dilemmas. In many places, it used to be that people who fished reefs for food were performing a public service of extreme importance, supplying markets and their families with protein for local consumption. Then we learned increasingly of fishers who could not afford to eat much of the fish they caught -- the fishing was to raise the money to buy more important staples such as rice. Then in many areas, mass culture of chicken brought its cost down below that of fish, and this reinforced the idea that the greatest importance of fishing on a reef was to keep people from dire levels of poverty. All this, of course, varies from place to place, and there are still areas, especially in the central Pacific, where fishing is the primary low-cost way of feeding one's family and neighbors. Elsewhere, however, the aquarium trade often offers a higher return per effort than food fishing. And, we rarely get the massive local reductions and local extinctions associated with high levels of food fishing, provided cyanide has been removed from the equation. Certainly, the volume of fish caught for the aquarium trade is very tiny compared to that associated with food fishing. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to find a trade like aquarium fishing that provides a successful alternative livelihood in a remote community. However, that leaves the very serious concern about exotic introductions. Recent history is filled with examples of exotic species radically altering ecosystems. Freshwater aquarists have often been involved starting devastating species takeovers in tropical freshwater systems, adding (along with the far worse problems of irresponsible aquaculture, short-sighted deliberate introductions and environmental damage) to what is probably the greatest mass extinction of vertebrates on Earth in recent history. In the marine environment, it is not at all unusual to hear about, say, a Pacific Lionfish living in Biscayne Bay. I think that it is a matter of time before we see some truly devastating marine introductions from aquarists (assuming that it has not happened already, say with coral disease). Of course, mariculture of aquarium fish would not reduce this problem. So, while the aquarium trade makes a great deal of sense as a source of livelihood in many cases, I think that the greatest danger lies in exotic introductions. I'm not sure of the solution, other than perhaps restricting fish distributions to within their natural range. However, there are many aspects of theaquarium industry that are good for society, such as maintaining public awareness, and it would be good to seek some solutions. Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4600 www.ncoremiami.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Nov 2 12:10:05 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 12:10:05 -0500 Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: <20011102132721.34311.qmail@web11003.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: A company (based in France as I recall) looked into trapping reef fish for rearing in the Philippines. We recommended against the development of this practice there for two primary reasons. 1. the practice could rapidly become extremely widespread and would be difficult to control via licensing, and 2. heavily overfished reefs such as most of those there tend to be highly dependent on recruitment from larvae and juveniles. Our experience with the similar practice of wild-trapping of milkfish and prawn larvae and juveniles showed that there was a strong incentive for gatherers to dump unwanted catch on a beach so as to "get them out of the way" in future trapping. Thus, hundreds of species are systematically removed from shorelines in which the bulk of the (rapidly declining) fish found in markets are only a year or a few years old. These arguments may or may not hold true for reefs in which fishing is low, and thus may not be as sensitive to annual fluctuations in recruitment by larvae and juveniles. Note that an important problem was that the practice was not expensive enough to limit it effectively. Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4600 www.ncoremiami.org -----Original Message----- From: owner-coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:owner-coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of Justin Neviackas Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 8:27 AM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Re: Divers and Fish Someone mentioned that there are "responsible Aquarium shops" that are trapping pre-settlement larvae and raising them in captivitiy to a marketable size. Does anyone know the contact information of any of these shops? Thinking about the logistical problems of this capturing plan, in addition to the supply/demand issues of the aquarium trade, it seems that this scheme would be very expensive. --- Mark Spalding wrote: > I've been following this with interest, and am a bit > surprised that we haven't heard directly from the > Marine Aquarium Council. Later this month they will > be launching a certification scheme for the marine > aquarium trade. This, I hope, will be providing > certification enabling purchasers to identify fish > which have been sustainably harvested, using > non-damaging techniques. Whether you are strongly > pro, strongly anti or on the fence this has to be a > useful step? > > To be valuable, a certification scheme has to be > well researched and monitored. In which case the > poor practises we have been hearing about in Sri > Lanka would never gain certification, but in a few > years might see their markets drying up...and might > then clean their act up. > > Surely IF this fishery could be made sustainable and > non-damaging, with all the right controls and > balances, then it is a potentially valuable industry > for the reefs themselves? Providing a good income > and foreign exchange earnings will give a value to > the reefs which may ensure their preservation. > Chasing the local people off reefs will reduce any > interest in looking after them. > > Mark > > __________________________________________ > > Mark Spalding, PhD > Senior Marine Ecologist > UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre > www.unep-wcmc.org > 219 Huntingdon Road > Tel: +44 (0)1223 277314 > Cambridge, CB3 0DL > Fax: +44 (0)1223 277136 > UK > e-mail:mark.spalding at unep-wcmc.org > or > Research Associate > Cambridge Coastal Research Unit > Department of Geography > Downing St > Cambridge > UK > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > This E-mail and any attachments are private, > intended solely for > the use of the addressee. If you are not the > intended recipient, > they have been sent to you in error: any use of > information in > them is strictly prohibited. > > The employer reserves the right to monitor the > content of > the message and any reply received. > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to > coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on > Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > ===== Justin Neviackas Boston University Marine Program Research Technician 508-289-7516 "Refuse to be ordinary" -SR "Stupidity prevents the advancement of knowledge!" - Dr. Ingrid Kaatz __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find a job, post your resume. http://careers.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Nov 2 12:20:06 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 12:20:06 -0500 Subject: aquarium concerns Message-ID: Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should seek to limit all sources. Cheers! John McManus "November 2001/A 2001/Vol. 5, No. 21 4) CARLTON REPORTS ON INCREASES IN U.S. INVASIVE SPECIES A new authored by 1996 Pew Fellow James Carlton, "Introduced Species in U.S. Coastal Waters", warns that the rate of non-native species invading U.S. coastal waters has risen exponentially over the past 200 years and shows no sign of leveling off. Introduced species crowd out native species, alter habitats, disrupt ecosystems, and impose economic burdens on coastal communities. Carlton's report discusses the primary sources of introductions along U.S. coasts, their affects on coastal habitat, reviews efforts to prevent, reduce and control introductions, and offers several recommendations for action. The report is the third in a series that includes documents on marine pollution and aquaculture that have been contracted by the Pew Oceans Commission. Jessica Landman, 2001 Pew Fellow and director of publications at the Pew Oceans Commission, worked with Carlton to produce the report and is currently developing additional publications on coastal development, fishing, and marine protected areas. For more information, see: ---SOURCE: Environmental News Service, October 23, 2001 To obtain a copy of the report click on: >>>Carlton, director of the Maritime Studies Program at Williams College - Mystic Seaport, used his Pew Fellowship to research a book on marine biological invasions and their past, present, and potential future impacts on altering marine ecosystems. He also pursued international multilateral agreements to better manage ballast water, a principal means of transporting these organisms. For more information, see: >>>Landman is applying her fellowship to tackle two Florida pulp mills that have applied for permits to build wastewater pipelines into Florida's fragile coastal waters and discharge large quantities of toxic effluent. Working with NRDC and allied stakeholders, she will use state and federal legal procedures to advocate for stringent pollution limits under the Clean Water Act that would greatly strengthen the proposed permits. For more information, see: " -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 3076 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011102/a60883d5/attachment.bin From 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu Fri Nov 2 12:11:47 2001 From: 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu (Roy Caldwell) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 09:11:47 -0800 Subject: Stomatopod kill Message-ID: <200111021808.SAA53089@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> With respect to the recent report of mass mortality of stomatopods in the Seychelles, I can offer the following guesses. First, I suspect that from the numbers, size and color information, this is (these are) gonodactylids, probably Gonodactylus smithii, G. viridis or G. chiragra or some combination of green, low intertidal stomatopods. I have seen three mass mortalities of stomatopods during my field work, one in Panama, one in Australia, and one in Guam. There was also the report of a fresh water event in Kaneohe Bay by Kinzie. In all three cases that I witnessed, there was an extreme low tide during the day (we are just past a full moon) coupled with heavy rain and then bright, hot sun. This can cause a lens of very hot, oxygen poor, fresh water to develop on the exposed reef. Stomatopods are tough, but when it gets hot, they often will leave their cavities and try to dig in under rocks, coral heads, etc. to reach cooler, more saline conditions. If the tide is still out and there is enough hot fresh water on an exposed reef, this is fatal. One slight variation on this theme that I one saw on a mudflat in Thailand was rain and bright sun at low tide. As the tide came in, the hot, fresh water being pushed ahead was very hot - 44 C. Many of the burrowing squillids and lysiosquillids vacated their burrows when the hot water hit and most perished. It is hard to tell from this report how wide spread the phenomenon was. If it occurred over a wide area, then my scenario is unlikely. If it were on just a few adjacent islands, it is more likely. I suppose a red tide or other biological explanation is possible, although I haven't ever heard of this effecting stomatopods on a massive scale. I would be happy to help identify the species, etc. if more information can be provided. Too bad there isn't an emergency fund to fly stomatopod biologists to such hotspots. Roy -- *************************************** Roy L. Caldwell Professor of Integrative Biology Department of Integrative Biology University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720-3140 USA Phone (office): (510) 642-1391 Phone (lab): (510) 643-5448 Fax: (510) 643-6264 Email: 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu http://ib.berkeley.edu/faculty/Caldwell,RL.html *************************************** --============_-1207401387==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Stomatopod kill
With respect to the recent report of mass mortality of stomatopods in the  Seychelles, I can offer the following guesses.

First, I suspect that from the numbers, size and color information, this is (these are) gonodactylids, probably Gonodactylus smithii, G. viridis or G. chiragra or some combination of green, low intertidal stomatopods.   I have seen three mass mortalities of stomatopods during my field work, one in Panama, one in Australia, and one in Guam.  There was also the report of a fresh water event in Kaneohe Bay by Kinzie.  In all three cases that I witnessed, there was an extreme low tide during the day (we are just past a full moon) coupled with heavy rain and then bright, hot sun.  This can cause a lens of very hot, oxygen poor, fresh water to develop on the exposed reef.   Stomatopods are tough, but when it gets hot, they often will leave their cavities and try to dig in under rocks, coral heads, etc. to reach cooler, more saline conditions.   If the tide is still out and there is enough hot fresh water on an exposed reef, this is fatal.  One slight variation on this theme that I one saw on a mudflat in Thailand was rain and bright sun at low tide.  As the tide came in, the hot, fresh water being pushed ahead was very hot - 44 C.  Many of the burrowing squillids and lysiosquillids vacated their burrows when the hot water hit and most perished.

It is hard to tell from this report how wide spread the phenomenon was.  If it occurred over a wide area, then my scenario is unlikely.  If it were on just a few adjacent islands, it is more likely.  I suppose a red tide or other biological explanation is possible, although I haven't ever heard of this effecting stomatopods on a massive scale.

I would be happy to help identify the species, etc. if more information can be provided.  Too bad there isn't an emergency fund to fly stomatopod biologists to such hotspots.

Roy
--
***************************************
Roy L. Caldwell
Professor of Integrative Biology
Department of Integrative Biology
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA  94720-3140
USA

Phone (office):  (510) 642-1391
Phone (lab):      (510) 643-5448
Fax:       (510) 643-6264
Email:     4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu
http://ib.berkeley.edu/faculty/Caldwell,RL.html
***************************************
--============_-1207401387==_ma============-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From J.Larcombe at RGS.org Fri Nov 2 13:16:09 2001 From: J.Larcombe at RGS.org (Juliet Burnett) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 18:16:09 -0000 Subject: Shoals Programme Conference Message-ID: <13B54AA466BAD511B54D00A0C9955D8201039D@exchange.rgs.org> > UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF THE MASCARENE PLATEAU > A 2,000 km long submerged landmass in the western Indian Ocean > Shoals of Capricorn Programme One Day Conference and Evening Reception > in the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent KCVO > Wednesday 28 November 2001, RGS-IBG, London > > Over the last three years more than 200 international marine scientists > have been carrying out research in this little known region of the western > Indian Ocean, using satellite images, research vessels, oceanographic > instruments, SCUBA and marine biological survey techniques. This > conference will report on the Programme's key findings with particular > emphasis on the recent Rodrigues Biodiversity Workshop, Seychelles coral > bleaching studies and the Darwin Initiative planktonic research. > Achievements in the fields of training and education will also be > illustrated. All are welcome to attend. > Cost ?60 for the conference including lunch, evening reception and field > report. > [Concessions available] > Please fill in application form available from http://www.rgs.org/shoals > and return to Shoals Programme, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From hendee at aoml.noaa.gov Fri Nov 2 14:33:26 2001 From: hendee at aoml.noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 14:33:26 -0500 (EST) Subject: Michelle Message-ID: Greetings, Hurricane Michelle is heading this direction, so we may have to power-down the CHAMP server (hence, coral-list) this weekend if it looks like its strength will increase appreciably. So, if your message doesn't go through, you'll know why. Cheers, Jim ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu Fri Nov 2 12:11:47 2001 From: 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu (Roy Caldwell) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 09:11:47 -0800 Subject: Stomatopod kill Message-ID: <200111022108.VAA53642@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> With respect to the recent report of mass mortality of stomatopods in the Seychelles, I can offer the following guesses. First, I suspect that from the numbers, size and color information, this is (these are) gonodactylids, probably Gonodactylus smithii, G. viridis or G. chiragra or some combination of green, low intertidal stomatopods. I have seen three mass mortalities of stomatopods during my field work, one in Panama, one in Australia, and one in Guam. There was also the report of a fresh water event in Kaneohe Bay by Kinzie. In all three cases that I witnessed, there was an extreme low tide during the day (we are just past a full moon) coupled with heavy rain and then bright, hot sun. This can cause a lens of very hot, oxygen poor, fresh water to develop on the exposed reef. Stomatopods are tough, but when it gets hot, they often will leave their cavities and try to dig in under rocks, coral heads, etc. to reach cooler, more saline conditions. If the tide is still out and there is enough hot fresh water on an exposed reef, this is fatal. One slight variation on this theme that I one saw on a mudflat in Thailand was rain and bright sun at low tide. As the tide came in, the hot, fresh water being pushed ahead was very hot - 44 C. Many of the burrowing squillids and lysiosquillids vacated their burrows when the hot water hit and most perished. It is hard to tell from this report how wide spread the phenomenon was. If it occurred over a wide area, then my scenario is unlikely. If it were on just a few adjacent islands, it is more likely. I suppose a red tide or other biological explanation is possible, although I haven't ever heard of this effecting stomatopods on a massive scale. I would be happy to help identify the species, etc. if more information can be provided. Too bad there isn't an emergency fund to fly stomatopod biologists to such hotspots. Roy -- *************************************** Roy L. Caldwell Professor of Integrative Biology Department of Integrative Biology University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720-3140 USA Phone (office): (510) 642-1391 Phone (lab): (510) 643-5448 Fax: (510) 643-6264 Email: 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu http://ib.berkeley.edu/faculty/Caldwell,RL.html *************************************** --============_-1207401387==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Stomatopod kill
With respect to the recent report of mass mortality of stomatopods in the  Seychelles, I can offer the following guesses.

First, I suspect that from the numbers, size and color information, this is (these are) gonodactylids, probably Gonodactylus smithii, G. viridis or G. chiragra or some combination of green, low intertidal stomatopods.   I have seen three mass mortalities of stomatopods during my field work, one in Panama, one in Australia, and one in Guam.  There was also the report of a fresh water event in Kaneohe Bay by Kinzie.  In all three cases that I witnessed, there was an extreme low tide during the day (we are just past a full moon) coupled with heavy rain and then bright, hot sun.  This can cause a lens of very hot, oxygen poor, fresh water to develop on the exposed reef.   Stomatopods are tough, but when it gets hot, they often will leave their cavities and try to dig in under rocks, coral heads, etc. to reach cooler, more saline conditions.   If the tide is still out and there is enough hot fresh water on an exposed reef, this is fatal.  One slight variation on this theme that I one saw on a mudflat in Thailand was rain and bright sun at low tide.  As the tide came in, the hot, fresh water being pushed ahead was very hot - 44 C.  Many of the burrowing squillids and lysiosquillids vacated their burrows when the hot water hit and most perished.

It is hard to tell from this report how wide spread the phenomenon was.  If it occurred over a wide area, then my scenario is unlikely.  If it were on just a few adjacent islands, it is more likely.  I suppose a red tide or other biological explanation is possible, although I haven't ever heard of this effecting stomatopods on a massive scale.

I would be happy to help identify the species, etc. if more information can be provided.  Too bad there isn't an emergency fund to fly stomatopod biologists to such hotspots.

Roy
--
***************************************
Roy L. Caldwell
Professor of Integrative Biology
Department of Integrative Biology
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA  94720-3140
USA

Phone (office):  (510) 642-1391
Phone (lab):      (510) 643-5448
Fax:       (510) 643-6264
Email:     4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu
http://ib.berkeley.edu/faculty/Caldwell,RL.html
***************************************
--============_-1207401387==_ma============-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From briandtodd at hotmail.com Fri Nov 2 16:32:16 2001 From: briandtodd at hotmail.com (Brian Todd) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 16:32:16 -0500 Subject: divers and fish References: <200111010310.fA13ADu09350@laknet.slt.lk> <5.1.0.14.2.20011101121201.00aa59f0@pop.uncwil.edu> Message-ID: I have remained a quiet observer for sometime on the list, but I feel that there is another facet to the issue that is often overlooked. Economics and the "almighty dollar" may contribute to the problem, but I think this is due heavily to the nature of the coral and fish collecting. It is an almost perfect illustration of Garret Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons" first described in 1968 with pastures. Because the users (ie, collectors) have no system of ownership on these reefs, they do not incur the immediate costs of their actions. This creates the "scramble for resources" and leads to ruin and exploitation of the reef systems they visit. The social cost of each harvester's combined actions is MUCH higher than each individual's cost and this must be modified in order to prevent and discourage such exploitive practices. Regulations in many of these countries attempt to correct this by instituting catch limits and user fees, but they are frequently de facto "open-access" resources. And if we consider the scenario whereby we completely remove the influence of economics from the organism collecting (ie, ceasing trade, tougher laws, moratoria, etc), we could effectively elliminate ANY concern for the surrounding reefs by those very users. The statement "If we don't buy, they can't sell, and then there is no use to the collecting and it will eventually stop" is very well true. But this removes any economic value from the resource, and can potentially decrease concern for the very habitats we wish to protect. By allowing them to derive monetary gain from the collection, we can scrutinize the relationship and find a better way to use this interest to benefit conservation efforts. Most people do not want to lose a significant source of income, and if they realize they are rapidly accomplishing this by eliminating and ruining reefs, then perhaps they will act differently. My two cents. Cheers, Brian Todd -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011102/f646e8ec/attachment.html From LESSIOSH at naos.si.edu Fri Nov 2 16:39:26 2001 From: LESSIOSH at naos.si.edu (Harilaos Lessios) Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 16:39:26 -0500 Subject: Fellowships Message-ID: The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), a division of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in the Republic of Panama, offers fellowships for research based at its facilities. Disciplines include ecology, anthropology, paleontology, evolution, systematics, behavior and physiology of tropical plants and animals. * Earl S. Tupper 3-year postdoctoral fellowship (deadline: Jan15). Applications should include detailed research proposal with budget, curriculum vitae, 2 letters of reference, names and telephone numbers of 3 additional references and reprints of most important papers. Applicants should consult with STRI scientists who will serve as advisor before submitting final application. Annual stipend up to $30,000 with yearly travel and research allotments. Proposals that include comparative research in other tropical countries will be considered. Send inquiries and application to STRI. * Predoctoral, postdoctoral, senior postdoctoral (up to 1 year) and 10-week fellowships are available through the Smithsonian's Office of Fellowships & Grants, Washington, DC. (deadline: Jan15). For information: OFG, 750 9th Street NW, Suite 9300, Washington DC 20560-0902, siofg at ofg.si.edu, www.si.edu/research+study. * Three-month fellowships (deadline: Feb15, May15, Aug15 and Nov15) thru STRI. For information: STRI/Office of Education, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948, from the US or Apartado 2072, Balboa, Panama from Latin America, fellows at tivoli.si.edu or www.stri.org Awards are based upon merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or condition of handicap of the applicant. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Fri Nov 2 17:44:31 2001 From: riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca (Mike Risk) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 17:44:31 -0500 Subject: Disease obs. References: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101111739.01a2c7f0@mail.oshadavidson.com> Message-ID: <00e901c163f0$9f49cf80$3c8dfea9@MyHost> I would agree with Osha, disease seems to be absent from the discussion to date. What is more, the distribution and impact of disease vary markedly. I began my reef work in the Caribbean (in the Late Holocene), but for the past 15 or so years, most of my time was spent in the Indo-Pacific. When I recently returned to Caribbean reef work, I was astounded and depressed by the impact disease has had there. I was one of the reviewers for the Smith, Harvel and Kim paper (Hi, Kiho-I was the one who didn't know much about diseases). I don't recall exact figures, but these authors compared soft corals in an "impacted" area and a "relatively unimpacted" area. Their infection rates in the UNIMPACTED area were something like 50%! My impression is that this is a recent, Caribbean, phenomenon. If this is in fact correct, and not due to the Observer Effect or my ignorance, then the reasons bear investigation. This situation cannot be due to: 1. "global change." By definition, global change effects the globe. Any change in the oceans (pH, temp, etc) post-dates the rise of disease as a major factor. 2. population density/sewage input. Show me Miami, I will show you Jakarta. There may very well be qualitative changes in what is entering the oceans, but SE Asia has supported dense human populations longer than the Caribbean. 3. overfishing/grazing. See 2. Although there have been several volumes produced to date comparing Caribbean and Indo-Pacific reefs, these have been dominated primarily by biologists-and we need more interdisciplinarity in reef work. I think we need to look more closely at the history of reefs in both provinces, in particular the ages of the coral fauna and the inputs to which they may be expected to have been acclimated. There are fundamental differences in sea level history, terrestrial inputs and coral evolutionary history, and some of these may affect resistance to disease. And here I have to say that African Dust may well be a factor. (I would like African Dust a whole lot better if I didn't think most of you already harbour Aspergillus in the backs of your fridges-I'm not really sure we need Africa as an infection source.) ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Fri Nov 2 17:47:38 2001 From: riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca (Mike Risk) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 17:47:38 -0500 Subject: Divers and Fish References: <200111020328.fA23Suu25340@laknet.slt.lk> Message-ID: <00ea01c163f0$a0ebe6c0$3c8dfea9@MyHost> I would like to support Prasanna's viewpoint here. It is excessively naive for those in the aquarium trade to claim that their industry: -has little impact (when done properly) -somehow converts citizens into reef advocates. It is precisely these arguments that have been used to support "selective" harvesting of tropical hardwoods. The present aquarium live trade, in both fish and inverts, is not sustainable. We recently, and much too soon, lost one of the giants in this field, Don McAllister. About 20 years ago, Don was involved in the Netsman Project, in the Philippines. (This is a long story, one that others know far better than I, but involves the "discovery" that potassium cyanide, used in open-pile leaching of gold ore, would also stun and kill fish.) In the Netsman Project, Don and co-workers tried to wean villagers off cyanide-fishing for ornamentals by teaching them how to snorkel, and how to use nets to select specific fish. The hand-net method proved as effective as large-scale use of cyanide, because post-harvest mortality drops from 80% to close to zero. In the end, however, the Netsman Project had only limited impact. The entire aquarium distribution system was vertically integrated: the same thugs that sold the cyanide also bought the fish. Threats were uttered, thugs visited Netsman villages, yadda yadda. But the findings remain valid-use of handnets (NOT Moxy nets) by trained locals is more effective than use of cyanide. Passing laws will not work. These people have to live, and they will feed their families by the best means available. There are some steps that may help. In the COREMAP reports that I and others prepared for Indonesia (hmmm. 6 years ago?), we outline a certification program, based on similar programs for lumber export. Legally, then, only certified fish may be exported. (Yes, I know all about corrupt governments and bribes-but you have to start somewhere.) Those same reports outline possible synergy in reef management schemes. We all know how high is the mortality rate in reef fish: let's say 99.99%. If we could devise methods that would convert that to 99.98%, and export 0.01%, would that not be a win-win situation? All over the tropics, artificial reefs are being emplaced to enhance reef recovery. (I note with frustration that these efforts are never coordinated with programs to reduce land-based sources of pollution-but that's another story.) We seem, thankfully, to be moving away from sinking warships and old cars and pedicabs and other urban jetsam, and moving to the use of precast concrete. You can mould just about any texture you want into that concrete, and we know that the larvae of many reef fish are selectively thigmotactic. Here is a wonderful field of applied research for the larval fish crowd-how to enhance settlement of economically valuable reef fish, so that local villagers may sustainably harvest them. Again, this is outlined in the COREMAP reports, along with some economic guesstimates. Inverts may be harder, because often less is known of their biology and MSY. On the other hand, our Indonesia project set up a handy little money-spinner for a couple of coastal villages: they sell "live rock", for which there is a market. "Live rock" is pieces of rock with cute inverts on them-serpulids, zoanthids, anemones. As we are all aware, of course, to convert dead rock into live rock, chuck some rubble into the right area and wait a year. Profit margins are not as high, but there is not a whole lot of work involved. The highest incremental rate of return on investment of all the reef "interventions" we gamed was coral farming. NOT by breaking nubbins off live colonies (this practice should be avoided-it's the slipperiest of slippery slopes) but by using settling plates, made of unglazed tile, with your logo here ("Mike's Green Corals"). These are then inspected monthly (coral spawning in the core tropics is usually monthly), undesirable species paint-scrapered off. Very low impact, HUGE profits possible. Colonies are also available for local rehab work. Lots of local jobs. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From cbingman at panix.com Fri Nov 2 18:36:58 2001 From: cbingman at panix.com (Craig Bingman) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 18:36:58 -0500 (EST) Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: <00ea01c163f0$a0ebe6c0$3c8dfea9@MyHost> Message-ID: On Fri, 2 Nov 2001, Mike Risk wrote: > I would like to support Prasanna's viewpoint here. It is excessively naive > for those in the aquarium trade to claim that their industry: > -has little impact (when done properly) > -somehow converts citizens into reef advocates. > It is precisely these arguments that have been used to support "selective" > harvesting of tropical hardwoods. The present aquarium live trade, in both > fish and inverts, is not sustainable. There is a big difference between maintaining a live aquarium fish or invertebrate in one's home and having a dead piece of wood in the form of furnature in one's home. The analogy you have made is better with the harvest coral skeletons, seahorses and other marine life for the manufacture of dead curios, ornaments and medicinal purposes. If you want to keep them alive, and everyone who buys a live fish has some interest in maintaining it in live condition, then you need to learn some biology and chemistry. If you want to keep a reef aquarium, you are absolutely forced to confront many of the same problems that confront corals in the wild (eutrophication, disease, calcium carbonate saturation state, importance of herbivores, etc.) You are required to learn absolutely nothing about hardwood conservation issues and issues confronting the survivial of tropical hardwoods by having a piece of dead furnature in your home. Certainly, some exceptional individuals *might* be inspired to learn something about tropical hardwood conservation when they buy a piece of hardwood furnature. One absolutely *must* learn about issues relevant to the fate of reefs when one seeks to maintain a successful reef aquarium. It is not optional. Craig ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From paul.holthus at aquariumcouncil.org Fri Nov 2 19:07:13 2001 From: paul.holthus at aquariumcouncil.org (Paul Holthus) Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 14:07:13 -1000 Subject: Environmentally sounds aquarium trade Message-ID: <200111030033.fA30X3613787@maggie.pixi.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011102/03bb542a/attachment.html From capman at augsburg.edu Sat Nov 3 00:51:17 2001 From: capman at augsburg.edu (capman at augsburg.edu) Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 23:51:17 -0600 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <200111021457.OAA51755@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> References: <200111021457.OAA51755@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: Daphne, I agree with all the points you make. However it is worth noting that a lot of progress has been made on the captive propagation front. As you pointed out, a large number of coral species are being captive propagated by fragmentation .... many rounds of fragmentation and growth have been done for many of these species, so these are about as captive - propagated as it gets. Some, like Pocillopora damicornis even reproduce spontaneously and sometimes impressively in aquaria via larvae and/or polyp bailout (?) (some folks I know now consider this a pest species in their tanks!). An increasing number of folks are having spawnings of other corals in their tanks, and I'd bet it is only a matter of time before true sexual reproduction in captivity becomes possible for some of these species. Even some of the large polyped stony corals (e.g. Trachyphyllia and Plerogyra) have been propagated successfully. Though growth is slow in these species compared to corals such as Acropora or Pocillopora species, and this slow growth limits the commercial viability of captive propagation efforts, the fact that this has been done successfully (and even on a small commercial scale in at least one case) is encouraging. I've also heard of captive-propagated Montastrea being offered for sale. I'd also bet that it will not be too long before some sort of tissue culture techniques are applied to corals such as Trachyphyllia (I'm no expert on tissue culture, but it seems that corals would be a natural for such approaches)....I think this has the potential of really changing things. Furthermore, one of the clownfish hosting anemones, Entacmaea quadricolor, is now reproducing regularly in captivity (which I'm sure you know), and captive-propagated specimens are becoming easier to come by. They can be purchased from some vendors, and hobbyists are regularly trading their extra anemones with each other. And as far as the clownfish go, there are now some aquarium shops whose policy is to sell ONLY captive-bred clowns. Furthermore, in the case of one shop I am thinking of, I'm not sure their prices are all that different from the shop two blocks away that sells wild-caught clownfish.) Also, an increasing number of other invertebrates are being captive propagated now. Certain of the Lysmata shrimp are now regularly available captive bred, for example. Some of the best snails for algae control in reef tanks (Trochus sp.) are available captive bred. Nudibranchs for control of pest Aiptasia anemones are available captive bred.... The list is growing. It is now possible to set up impressive and quite diverse reef aquaria using only captive propagated organisms. This is a big change from a decade or so ago. Anyway, while I have no doubt that the aquarium trade is having significant negative impact in some areas, I think there is some reason for hope that the impressive strides in captive propagation might lessen the burden on wild populations. Unfortunately, my fear is that the economic incentive to figure out captive propagation techniques for many easily collected species will only come when their availability from the wild is restricted, either by regulations on collecting, or by the decimation of wild populations. Bill >The focus of most of this discussion has been on fish. Invertebrates are >increasingly popular with marine aquarists and many do poorly in >captivity. Among these are the sea anemones that are host to clownfishes. >They may live many decades and perhaps a century or more in nature, but an >attentive, talented aquarist is lucky to keep one alive five years. >Judging from the number of requests I receive to diagnose problems with >sick anemones, few aquarists are that attentive, talented, or just plain >lucky. Collecting an animal (or buying one someone else has collected) >prevents it from contributing to future generations of anemones (like >elephants, it appears that these large animals live long and reproduce >slowly) as well as depriving current and future generations of clownfishes >of homes. > >I am all for captive propagation, and have challenged marine aquarists >never to purchase a wild-caught animal again. Clownfishes are a good >example of an easily bred, popular fish. But, as I understand, they >cannot be produced sufficiently cheaply to compete with wild-caught ones >(they are sitting ducks in nature), and aquarists are unwilling to pay the >premium necessary for such conservation. A clownfish, by the way, does >not require an anemone in captivity -- even to reproduce. The fish need >anemones in nature to provide protection from predators that are absent in >captivity. > >Captive propagation of most invertebrates is another story. A very few, >like *Tridacna*, are captive bred. That word is commonly used for corals, >but, to my knowledge, all captive propagation (the correct term) of corals >is by "fragging" -- breaking off fragments of colonies that then generate >more polyps. The assortment of corals that can be kept is impressive, but >it is far from all corals, and certainly those that are not colonial are >not being captively propagated. > >I think the grape analogy is not apt -- both European and American grapes >were crops. There has been limited success with reintroductions of wild >animals from captive populations. The California Condor is one on which >the jury is still out. Some small marsupials in Australia seem to do OK >as long as the introduced predators that caused their demise are >controlled. But for animals that are declining because their habitat is >disappearing, I have little hope -- where can they be reintroduced to? And >that is my worry about reef denizens. > > >Daphne Fautin > >On Thu, 1 Nov 2001, John Williams wrote: > >> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 16:18:30 -0500 (EST) >> From: John Williams >> To: Prasanna Weerakkody >> Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> Subject: Re: divers and fish >> >> >> While I havent been diving, I will take your point that it is likely that >> the reef aquarium trade is making a significant impact on the reefs. >> However, from the aquarist that I have met it is clear that they try their >> very best to provide a high quality habitat for the fish. Those who do >> usually acquire 4 or 5 fish and keep them for many years. On the other >> hand, it is likely that many people get into the hobby and do not know >> much about the requirements of keeping a fish. They may go through a >> large number of fish, probably view them as expendible like some feel >> about goldfish. Also, a number of pet stores seem to keep these fish >> because they may feel like they need to cover all their bases. I am sure >> a good number of petstores (chain stores in particular) account for a >> large percentage of the fish demise. >> >> While aquaculturing efforts have been only successful for handful of fish, >> these successful cases only came from careful efforts and alot of time. It >> is probably possible now to stop collecting clown fish altogther. It may > > be worth noting that there is alot that has been and will be learnt from >> these aquariums. You may also be suprised by the education level of many >> of those keeping reef aquariums. Finally, I would also point out that the >> reef aquarist have had tremendous success at captively propogating a large >> number of corals. This success may be very important in the future. One >> case that comes to mind is how the california vineyards rescued the french >> vineyard when their grapes came undersiege of a fungal blight. >> >> Anyway, the upshot of all of this is a proposal seeking a comprise. >> People who wish to maintain reef aqauriums need to pass a test >> demonstrating some level of understanding before being allowed to keep >> these fish. Shops selling fish would have to pass the same test or >> something more rigorous, should be periodically check to ensure high >> quality water conditions/habitat in general, and would require anyone >> wanting to purchase a fish to show some id. The health department already >> checks petstores anyway - outfitting them with a few test kits for > > NH3/Ca/pH etc wouldnt be difficult. As much as I hate to add any more >> goverment, the proposal would make people aware of what they are getting >> into, it would discourage chain stores for overstocking and creating >> lethal habitats for these fish. It would likely drive up the price of the >> fish and therefore encourage more captive breeding efforts. In all, this >> could reduce the collecting load on the reefs. >> >> Now, I imagine that I would be electronically whipped which is one reason >> I generally just listen. Regardless, I hope this proposal is taken for >> what its worth - just an idea to try to help both camps. >> >> cheers, john >> >> >> >> On Fri, 2 Nov 2001, Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: >> >> > Bill and others >> > >> > I still think that you have no clue what goes on down here. Unfortunately >> > the poor fish collectors down here have no access to computers or internet >> > (many would be barely literate at that matter)and they will never know of >> > what their paymasters (i.e. the aquarist)do or would want them >>to do either. >> > >> > The locals always used the reef fish for food; and the traditional methods >> > and levels of harvest were sustainable and non destructive. The collection >> > of ornamentals is not traditional and was began and is sustained by the >> > demand by the aquarist. So I do blame the aquarist for the fate >>of the reef >> > at the hands of the local collectors. I don't think you can come clean on >> > this; The aquarist remain the driving force of the collector, >>and in a way >> > your attitude that the aquarist and the fish collector are disconnected >> > illustrates the point - that the aquarist is not aware or care about their >> > effects on far away unseen reefs. (Out of sight - out of mind???) >> > >> > If the aquarists do care they should be willing to voluntarily adjust the >> > demand of the trade to match the changing situation on the reefs. and >> > pressurize the 'middle man' the Fish exporter to adapt responsible trade >> > regulations and in turn impose conservation minded controls (techniques, >> > awareness and practices) among their fish collector groups in the field. >> > This is the rock on which we are forced to bash our heads to bring some >> > relief to the reef fauna. Against money driven politics it is difficult to >> > bring in regulation from bottom up. so may be the aquarists >>could look at a >> > top down approach to this problem "if they care". >> > >> > I would be perhaps the happiest if the aquarists are successful >>at breeding >> > and growing fish and inverts on their tanks(no more extraction >>and perhaps a >> > few re-introductions...). But if that is not the sink hole to >>which our fish >> > go I have no clue where they do go. >> > >> > Forgive me for my stubbornness, It's just that I have to be >>afraid for every >> > little colorful fish recruiting on the reefs where I work; knowing that >> > their days on the reef are very very short. And we have to >>(though with much >> > regret)scare the fish and teach them to be wary of divers in >>order to retain > > > at least a few so that they would grow up on the reef and >hopefully breed. >> > >> > Perhaps I hope for too much. >> > >> > Best wishes >> > >> > Prasanna >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > At 11:09 PM 31-10-01 -0800, you wrote: >> > >Prasanna, >> > > Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits of the local >> > >collectors and as far as I know there are very few people that collect >> > >for their own tank. In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral >> > >exporter in the world I believe, most collection was done by local >> > >Fijians. They then transfer the livestock to the various companies >> > >exporting it. During my stay there I also became aware of the various >> > >destructive habits of Fijians upon their own reefs. I heard of local >> > >Fijians eating sea turtles even though it was illegal since January, an >> > >article was published in the Fiji Times about how two turtles from a >> > >research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 was eaten. I also >> > >witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. I inquired >> > >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be returned to > > > >the ocean soon. I also witnessed various large breeding size fish >> > >including specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium >> > >trade eaten for food. Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but >> > >eating of breeding fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish >> > >population and variety of the reef. >> > > >> > > While most reef keepers are not marine biologists by title many >> > >have become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. While >> > >I might defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look >> > >at various sites that have been created because of the hobby. >> > > >> > >Online magazine created for hobby: >> > >http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp >> > >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: >> > >http://www.orafarm.com/ >> > >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: http://www.reefs.org >> > > >> > >While you state >> > > >> > >"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on >>down here, or >> > >care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the >>reefs to build >> > >"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home." >> > > >> > >I implore you inform yourself of the current situation of reef keeping in >> > the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or defensive, but the >> > aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole for fish and inverts, >>many of the >> > animals that are now imported are now being captive grown and >>bred. I invite >> > you to join the reef keeping community as an outside observer and if you >> > still believe we don't have a clue after 6 months of active participation >> > then so be it. >> > >Bill Crockett >> > >www.reefs.org >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote: >> > > >> > >>I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore enlightened lot >> > >>than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there is one >>or two) Down >> > >>here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is re-settling hundreds of >> > >>pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to extract the fish >>from their >> > >>hiding places)supplying the aquarium industry. Post to the >>1998 bleaching >> > >>event the reefs down here have suffered tremendously with less >>than 50% of >> > >>the reefs remaining and struggling to survive. there is >>significant loss in >> > >>fish abundance and diversity. But the aquarium fish industry >>has not been so >> > >>"understanding or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same >> > >>rate. they still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and >>inverts) down to >> > >>the last one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the numbers >> > >>exported it is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no >> > >>longer viable; than because of the sensitive Reef keeper hobbyists >> > >>voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live exotics to >>give a chance >> > >>for the reefs to recover. >> > >> >> > >>I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on >>down here, or > > > >>care how much they are contributing to the destruction of the >reefs to build >> > >>"pretty little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home. May be the >> > >>recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out the >>reefs and make >> > >>the aquarists aware. >> > >> >> > >>The aquarists should know that every colourful fish that >>livens their living >> > >>room makes the reefs less and less colourful as the selective >>predation by >> > >>the trade is leaving the reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of >> > >>what such high intensity selective extraction does to the reef ecology. >> > >> >> > >>My apologies if I sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize with >> > >>aquarists when you are struggling with the long distance >>effects of their >> > >>hobbies on a daily basis. >> > >> >> > >>Prasanna >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >>At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you wrote: >> > >> >> > >>>At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote: >> > >>> >> > >>>>Without recreational divers the academic community has NO hope of > > > >>>>spreading the word about the plight of the world's reefs. >> > >>>> >> > >>>I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has a very large % of >>"reef aware" >> > >>>individuals, perhaps more so than the diving community .. since these >> > >>>individuals have a great deal of experience with what is necessary for >> > >>>healthy corals to survive and grow and an appreciation of >>their delicacy. >> > >>>This is also a very useful group when it comes to spreading >>awareness of >> > >>>corals reefs and their inhabitants to the general public. I >>know several >> > >>>hobbyists who regularly have groups of elementary students visit their >> > >>>homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about coral reefs >>in general. >> > >>> >> > >>>Aloha! >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>>J. Charles Delbeek >> > >>>Aquarium Biologist >> > >>>Waikiki Aquarium >> > >>>2777 Kalakaua Ave. >> > >>>Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 >> > >>>808-923-9741 >> > >>>808-923-1771 FAX >> > >>> >> > >>>~~~~~~~ >> > >>>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >> > >>>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >> > >>>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >> >> > >>~~~~~~~ >> > >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >> > >>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >> > >>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> > >> >> > >> >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > >Prasanna,
>> > >    Seems like you are blaming the aquarist for the habits >> > of the local collectors >> > >and as far as I know there are very few people that collect for their own >> > >tank.  In my experience in Fiji, the largest coral >>exporter in the world >> > >I believe, most collection was done by local Fijians. >> They then transfer >> > >the livestock to the various companies exporting it.   >>During my stay >> > there >> > >I also became aware of the various destructive habits of >>Fijians upon their >> > >own reefs.  I heard of local Fijians eating sea turtles >>even though it was >> > >illegal since January, an article was published in the Fiji >>Times about how >> > >two turtles from a research station in Hawaii were caught and 1 >>was eaten. >> > > I also witnessed a sea turtle in a fish collection system in Suva. >> >  I inquired >> > >the manager on why it was there and she replied it would be >>returned to the >> > >ocean soon.  I also witnessed various large breeding size >>fish including >> > >specimens that would be considered exported by the aquarium >>trade eaten for >> > >food.  Am I saying they cannot eat these fish? No, but >>eating of breeding >> > >fish will and does have an impact on the overall fish >>population and variety >> > >of the reef.
>> > >
>> > >     While most reef keepers are not marine >>biologists >> > by title many have >> > >become lay marine biologist through the love of their hobby. >> While I >> > might >> > >defend the hobby through words I would like you to take a look at various > > > >sites that have been created because of the hobby.
>> > >
>> > >Online magazine created for hobby: > > >>href="http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp">http://ww >> > w.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/archive/default.asp
>> > >1 of the captive breeders of tropical saltwater fish: > > class="moz-txt-link-freetext" >> > href="http://www.orafarm.com/">http://www.orafarm.com/
>> > >Largest hobbyist site on the Internet: >class="moz-txt-link-freetext" >> > href="http://www.reefs.org">http://www.reefs.org
>> > >
>> > >While you state >> > >
"I don't think the reef keepers have a clue what is going on
>>  > down here, or
care how much they are contributing to the destruction of
>>  > the reefs to build
"pretty little artificial reefs' that they 
>>can keep at
>>  > home."

I implore you inform yourself of the current situation
>>  > of reef keeping in the United States. My apologies if I sound hard or
>  > > defensive, but the aquarium industry is no longer a sink hole 
>for fish and
>>  > inverts, many of the animals that are now imported are now being
>>  > captive grown and bred. I invite you to join the reef keeping community as
>>  > an outside observer and if you still believe we don't have a clue after 6
>>  > months of active participation then so be it.
Bill Crockett
>  > class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
>>  > href="http://www.reefs.org">www.reefs.org
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >  
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >Prasanna Weerakkody wrote:
>> > >
>cite="mid:200111010310.fA13ADu09350 at laknet.slt.lk"> >> > > 
I am not so sure if the aquarium enthusiasts are anymore
>>  > enlightened lot
than the average diver as ursula defined. (may be there
>>  > is one or two) Down
here in Sri Lanka one of my prime activities is
>>  > re-settling hundreds of
pieces of coral broken by fish collectors (to
>>  > extract the fish from their
hiding places)supplying the aquarium
>>  > industry.  Post to the 1998 bleaching
event the reefs down here have
>>  > suffered tremendously with less than 50% of
the reefs remaining and
>>  > struggling to survive. there is significant loss in
fish abundance and
>>  > diversity. But the aquarium fish industry has not been 
>>so
"understanding
>>  > or aware" and continue pumping reef fauna out at the same
rate. they
>>  > still comb and squeeze the reefs for fish(and inverts) down to
the last
>>  > one left. If there is even a slight reduction to the 
>>numbers
exported it
>>  > is more due to fish collectors quitting the job as it is no
longer
>>  > viable; than because of the sensitive Reef ke
>>  > >eper hobbyists
voluntarily putting a brake in their demand of live
>>  > exotics to give a chance
for the reefs to recover.

I don't think
>>  > the reef keepers have a clue what is going on down here, 
>>or
care how much
>>  > they are contributing to the destruction of the reefs to build
"pretty
>>  > little artificial reefs' that they can keep at home.  May be
>>  > the
recreational divers who visit the reefs could check out 
>>the reefs and
>>  > make
the aquarists aware.

The aquarists should know that every
>>  > colourful fish that livens their living
room makes the reefs less and
>>  > less colourful as the selective predation by
the trade is leaving the
>>  > reefs full of only the 'bland' fishes. think of
what such 
>>high intensity
>>  > selective extraction does to the reef ecology. 

My apologies if I
>>  > sound a little hard; but it is hard to sympathize 
>>with
aquarists when you
>>  > are struggling with the long distance effects of 
>>their
hobbies on a daily
>>  > basis. 

Prasanna


>  > >>








At 07:44 AM 31-10-01 -1000, you
>>  > wrote:
>> > >
>> > > 
At 10:32 AM 10/31/2001 +0000, you wrote:
>> > >
>> > > 
Without recreational divers the academic community has
>  > > NO hope of 
spreading the word about the plight of the world's
>>  > reefs.
>> > >
>> > > 
I believe the marine reef keeping hobby has 
>>a very large
>>  > % of "reef aware" 
individuals, perhaps more so than the 
>>diving community
>>  > .. since these 
individuals have a great deal of experience 
>>with what is
>>  > necessary for 
healthy corals to survive and grow and an 
>>appreciation of
>>  > their delicacy. 
This is also a very useful group when it comes to
>>  > spreading awareness of 
corals reefs and their inhabitants to 
>>the general
>>  > public. I know several 
hobbyists who regularly have groups 
>>of elementary
>>  > students visit their 
homes to view their reef aquaria and learn about
>>  > coral reefs in general.

Aloha!




J. Charles
>>  > Delbeek
Aquarium Biologist
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua
>>  > Ave.
Honolulu, HI, USA 96815
808-923-9741
808-923-1771
>>  > FAX

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to
>  > > coral-list or the
digests, please visit >  > class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.coral.noaa.gov">www
>>  > >.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
menu bar, then click on
>>  > Coral-List Listserver.



>> > >
>> > > 

~~~~~~~
For directions on 
>>subscribing and
>>  > unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please visit >  > class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
>>  > href="http://www.coral.noaa.gov">www.coral.noaa.gov, click 
>>on Popular on
>>  > the
menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.


>> > >
>> > >
>> > > >> > > >> > > >> > Prasanna Weerakkody >> > Nature Conservation Group >> > No.9, Balapokuna place, >> > Colombo 6. >> > Sri Lanka >> > >> > E-mail: firefish at sltnet.lk >> > Ph: 941-856041 >> > >> > ~~~~~~~ >> > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >> > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >> > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> > >> > >> >> ~~~~~~~ >> For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >> digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >> menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. >> > >Daphne G. Fautin >Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology >Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center >Haworth Hall >University of Kansas >1200 Sunnyside Avenue >Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA > >telephone 1-785-864-3062 >fax 1-785-864-5321 >for e-mail, please use fautin at ku.edu > >lab web page: www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts > >direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones, released > 12 July 2001 > *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** > > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From cnidaria at pop.earthlink.net Sat Nov 3 08:18:43 2001 From: cnidaria at pop.earthlink.net (James M. Cervino) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 08:18:43 -0500 Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hello, The problem with Craig's suggestion is that there is a very small number of peoples who understand the basic RESPONSIBILITIES of owning a home living-room aquarium. Many peoples get into this hobby(without understanding basic chemistry) and consistently have to purchase new valuable endangered corals due to mistakes and not maintaining there aquariums. Hence the revolving door of wild caught corals continues the influx of corals into the USA. There are still to this day, stores selling dead corals for coffee tables. Has the MAC addressed this problem, and what are they trying to do to stop the imports of dead corals ? This trade can never be sustainable unless we build farms that harvest these valuable corals. Then they must train the locals to farm and fish with nets, then sell their product to those in the USA who need to have these valuable organisms in there living rooms, and for those who choose this line of work to support themselves. I am still alarmed as to what I see arriving at all the local aquarium shops in the USA. Many of them are telling me that they have long wait times for certain corals and fish due to the fisherman claiming the abundance has dwindled. From the 20 or so store owners I spoke with, they claim that the abundance is not like it was in the 80s, and this is not due to restrictions. While surfing the net I came upon a Web Site that sells corals and live-rock in Tonga. This group collect the corals and rock from selected areas, after collection they culture the specimens in huge labs/greenhouses (it seems to be temperature controlled). Has anyone seen this site and operation? It seems impressive and from what the web-site says; they train the locals to work on board with them. Is this a sustainable operation, I am wondering? If anyone has feedback please let me know? Thank You, James Cervino -- ************************************ James M. Cervino PhD. Program Marine Science Program University of South Carolina (803) 996-6470 e-mail:cnidaria at earthlink.net ************************************* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011103/4f9a2dc2/attachment.html From howzit at turtles.org Sat Nov 3 09:20:05 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 09:20:05 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: References: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101152300.00ab7010@pop.uncwil.edu> Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103085135.00ca5d00@localhost> At 11:55 AM 11/2/01 -0500, John McManus wrote: >So, while the aquarium trade makes a great deal of sense as a source of >livelihood in many cases, I think that the greatest danger lies in exotic >introductions. I'm not sure of the solution, other than perhaps restricting >fish distributions to within their natural range. The aquarium hobby (like so many human endeavours) is very much about snobbery and status. This can range from whose got the most expensive fish to whose got the most difficult to keep/breed. That means hobbyists prefer the-grass-is-always-greener fish. One thing I'd like to know is how many unsuccess stories are there for every competent, responsible marine hobbyist? And how many fish/live corals die before one of THEM becomes competent. And of course the hobbyist lobby groups and magazines mainly tout those experts in the rarified air of the hobby as examples of what is. Best wishes, Ursula ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Sat Nov 3 09:49:40 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 09:49:40 -0500 Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: References: <00ea01c163f0$a0ebe6c0$3c8dfea9@MyHost> Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103093108.00c98530@localhost> Hi Craig, Regarding the aquarium hobby ou wrote: >If you want to keep them alive, and everyone who buys a live fish has some >interest in maintaining it in live condition, then you need to learn some >biology and chemistry. If you want to keep a reef aquarium, you are >absolutely forced to confront many of the same problems that confront >corals in the wild (eutrophication, disease, calcium carbonate saturation >state, importance of herbivores, etc.) Sure, you're "absolutely forced to confront". But make no mistake the hobbyist CREATED those problems. And that's the other problem. Most people seek to learn some biology and chemistry AFTER they make their live purchases and they've experienced several crashes. And you got to love the irony of a hobby cognizant of the "importance of herbivores" who then proceeds to remove them from the coral reefs of the world. But as someone said earlier, food harvesting by one fisher of reef fish removes far more than a responsible professional fish collector (I believe such people exist). I guess what I'm having problems with is the hobby summoning the "good" it does to justify its existence. Right now we see the same thing in Florida with the "shark feeding hobby" squawking about a recent ban on shark-feeding tours. You get the same talking heads insisting shark feeding has value in that it educates people about sharks and brings that close contact that will help people appreciate sharks and therefore fight on their behalf in conservation efforts etc etc. Marine aquarium keeping is no more about helping the world's reefs as shark=feeding tours is about giving people a "quality" shark experience. Best wishes, Ursula ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Sat Nov 3 11:41:48 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 11:41:48 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103085135.00ca5d00@localhost> References: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101152300.00ab7010@pop.uncwil.edu> Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103113515.00c9e6f0@localhost> Hi again John, I just revisited my earlier message. I wrote: >One thing I'd like to know is how many unsuccess stories are there for >every competent, responsible marine hobbyist? And how many fish/live >corals die before one of THEM becomes competent. When I read this I broke out and laughed --simply DELIGHTED by the error in wording. Of course what I MEANT was, "And how many fish/live corals die before a marine hobbyist acquires something resembling competency?" I raised the same issue as James M. Cervino when he wrote: >Many peoples get into this hobby(without understanding basic chemistry) >and consistently have to purchase new valuable endangered corals due to >mistakes and not maintaining there aquariums. Only James did it so much better. (But mine was funnier) Hope this clarifies, Ursula ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From williams at convex.hhmi.columbia.edu Sat Nov 3 13:06:55 2001 From: williams at convex.hhmi.columbia.edu (John Williams) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 13:06:55 -0500 (EST) Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103093108.00c98530@localhost> Message-ID: Again, I would make the point that education a priori of getting into the hobby could significantly reduce the numbers of fish caught. I would also point out that any intrusion into any environment will destroy and create new niches. Its a mistake to believe that the existence of one species didnt come by the demise of another or several others. Is the current demise of the reefs creating new species? - Most likely. So what do you do? Certainly something, but also not to fool one's self to believe they can save nature. Nature will get along fine with or without our help - it has for nearly 4 billion years and has done so by creating and destroying species over and over again. It will continue do so as well. (Re: Microcosmos - Margulis) That said, I strongly believe in conservation and I applaud anyone trying to learn the complexity of an environment and education those who make significant and possibly lethal intrusions to undisturbed environments. I am a realist though. The niche has been created and it will continue unbated until the economics change. Tariffs, licensing, education are means of creating this change. The oil crisis of the late 70's created a demand for fuel economy in new cars - people will change when their pocketbooks are pinched. Finally, while I would never say that the reason for keeping an aquarium is for the good of the oceans, its wrong to say that knowledge learnt in keeping one cannot be useful in understanding the ocean. Also, to the point made by Fautin, your point about the grapes being cultured is well taken. However, fragmenting corals does preserve the germ line to some extent and there is no reason to believe that a cultured animal could not become 'wild' again. cheers, john On Sat, 3 Nov 2001, Ursula Keuper-Bennett wrote: > Hi Craig, > > Regarding the aquarium hobby ou wrote: > > >If you want to keep them alive, and everyone who buys a live fish has some > >interest in maintaining it in live condition, then you need to learn some > >biology and chemistry. If you want to keep a reef aquarium, you are > >absolutely forced to confront many of the same problems that confront > >corals in the wild (eutrophication, disease, calcium carbonate saturation > >state, importance of herbivores, etc.) > > Sure, you're "absolutely forced to confront". But make no mistake the > hobbyist CREATED those problems. And that's the other problem. Most > people seek to learn some biology and chemistry AFTER they make their live > purchases and they've experienced several crashes. > > And you got to love the irony of a hobby cognizant of the "importance of > herbivores" who then proceeds to remove them from the coral reefs of the world. > > But as someone said earlier, food harvesting by one fisher of reef fish > removes far more than a responsible professional fish collector (I believe > such people exist). > > I guess what I'm having problems with is the hobby summoning the "good" it > does to justify its existence. Right now we see the same thing in Florida > with the "shark feeding hobby" squawking about a recent ban on > shark-feeding tours. > > You get the same talking heads insisting shark feeding has value in that it > educates people about sharks and brings that close contact that will help > people appreciate sharks and therefore fight on their behalf in > conservation efforts etc etc. > > Marine aquarium keeping is no more about helping the world's reefs as > shark=feeding tours is about giving people a "quality" shark experience. > > > Best wishes, > Ursula > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From williams at convex.hhmi.columbia.edu Sat Nov 3 13:33:19 2001 From: williams at convex.hhmi.columbia.edu (John Williams) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 13:33:19 -0500 (EST) Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103085135.00ca5d00@localhost> Message-ID: Human nature is what it is. People need to eat and people are generally compelled to find the best mate to pass on their genes. Status is very much important in both (Moral Animal, Robert Wright; Third Chimpanzee, Jared Diamond). The point remains economics and education. Also, I would point out that some people are curious beyond being aware of status (I believe snobbery is rampant in all human endeavours - conservationism as well). Much can be learned from these organisms, especially with the extremely rapid pace of science. It is very likely that what is learnt may very well be the strongest motivation for much more substanial conservation efforts. Finally, I believe that this thread is getting off the more important point. Given that people will continue to keep reefs, how can the home aquaria reef industry continue without significant environmental impact. I proposed licensing people as a means education or discouragement. I am curious as to other constructive ideas. On Sat, 3 Nov 2001, Ursula Keuper-Bennett wrote: > At 11:55 AM 11/2/01 -0500, John McManus wrote: > > >So, while the aquarium trade makes a great deal of sense as a source of > >livelihood in many cases, I think that the greatest danger lies in exotic > >introductions. I'm not sure of the solution, other than perhaps restricting > >fish distributions to within their natural range. > > The aquarium hobby (like so many human endeavours) is very much about > snobbery and status. This can range from whose got the most expensive fish > to whose got the most difficult to keep/breed. > > That means hobbyists prefer the-grass-is-always-greener fish. > > One thing I'd like to know is how many unsuccess stories are there for > every competent, responsible marine hobbyist? And how many fish/live > corals die before one of THEM becomes competent. > > And of course the hobbyist lobby groups and magazines mainly tout those > experts in the rarified air of the hobby as examples of what is. > > Best wishes, > Ursula > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From carlson at waquarium.org Sat Nov 3 14:03:06 2001 From: carlson at waquarium.org (Bruce Carlson) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 09:03:06 -1000 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103085135.00ca5d00@localhost> References: <5.1.0.14.2.20011101152300.00ab7010@pop.uncwil.edu> Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103085414.016bb7d8@mail.waquarium.org> ....And of course the hobbyist lobby groups and magazines mainly tout those experts in the rarified air of the hobby as examples of what is. Ursula, *************************************************************************** Let me quote one coral biologist who is not a hobbyist (speaking about live coral collection, not for the curio trade): "Public aquaria and private hobbyists both serve the important purpose of increasing interest, awareness and knowledge of coral reefs. Sometimes proponents of the reef aquarium trade are criticised by well meaning members of conservation movements for creating the potential to harm wild populations. In some locations, where small reef areas occur in close proximity to major centres of population, such criticisms are likely to be well founded. However, this is not so for major reef regions on the Indo-Pacific where very large areas of reefs are owned by poor countries, most of which participate in destructive fishing practices. In these countries, the well managed harvesting of corals for aquaria should give monetary value to reefs. Like well managed tourist industries, these activities have little or no envirnomental impacts as they represent an eternally renewable source of income, they are likely to be important in the quest for effective management practices that lead to longterm conservation." Veron, J.E.N. 2000. Corals of the World, Volume 1 (pg. 15) Bruce Carlson Waikiki Aquarium At 09:20 AM 11/3/2001 -0500, you wrote: >At 11:55 AM 11/2/01 -0500, John McManus wrote: > >>So, while the aquarium trade makes a great deal of sense as a source of >>livelihood in many cases, I think that the greatest danger lies in exotic >>introductions. I'm not sure of the solution, other than perhaps restricting >>fish distributions to within their natural range. > >The aquarium hobby (like so many human endeavours) is very much about >snobbery and status. This can range from whose got the most expensive >fish to whose got the most difficult to keep/breed. > >That means hobbyists prefer the-grass-is-always-greener fish. > >One thing I'd like to know is how many unsuccess stories are there for >every competent, responsible marine hobbyist? And how many fish/live >corals die before one of THEM becomes competent. > >And of course the hobbyist lobby groups and magazines mainly tout those >experts in the rarified air of the hobby as examples of what is. > >Best wishes, >Ursula > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Sat Nov 3 15:08:10 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 15:08:10 -0500 Subject: divers and fish In-Reply-To: References: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103085135.00ca5d00@localhost> Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011103134730.00beb100@localhost> John, Dr. Carlson, others, I used to be in aquarium keeping back in the mid-70's and kept at it for just under a decade. Like many marine aquarists I started with freshwater first. I discovered quickly that there were "trends" in fish --usually heralded by the national fish keepers mags. So there were IN fish, and the OUT fish made their way into cut-rate sale offs at fish shows. And any time a "new" fish was heralded, people'd stampede to be the first to own the thing. There were actually relatively few marine keepers back then. I'm sure it's plenty different now. With me, I stopped keeping fish --and yes, marine fish-- because of my diving. Underwater, I've seen creatures free and unfettered and I find going into a fish store to be a sad and disturbing experience. The truly worst part for me are the marine fish and live rocks that become bargain basement usually because they're doing poorly. They are relegated to the bottom rows of tanks. The fish are pale, listless and thin. The "live rocks" are perhaps a couple weeks away from giving up the ghost and fouling their tanks. And I'm describing the best fish shop in our area. I also know the obscene difference between the money the collector makes and the bucks exchanging hands in the pet store. I know how many of these creatures die during transport too. Right now I have four turtles and a tortoise. Orphans --the unwanted pets of others. They help me to understand the love people can feel towards their pets and how pets truly enrich our lives. So I'm not against the keeping of pets --even exotic marine fish. They can be a source of comfort and companionship. If I were to return to keeping marine fish (and I might one day when I'm too old to SCUBA dive), I'd take the castoffs sometimes offered in the want ads "Free to a good home" or rescue those that are destined for the toilet and sewers. Someone who says he'll set up a tank and stock the thing with marine "discards" has my vote. That person is truly interested in living things. He's in the hobby for the love of it and the love of those animals. Such a person understands that the value of these marine-hobby creatures cannot be measured with a $dollar$ sign. And he'll be the one to read the books and work hard to assure that his charges receive the best of care. You know? Care? The best of care? Best wishes, Ursula ------------------------------------------------ At 01:33 PM 11/3/01 -0500, John Williams wrote: >Human nature is what it is. People need to eat and people are generally >compelled to find the best mate to pass on their genes. Status is very >much important in both (Moral Animal, Robert Wright; Third Chimpanzee, >Jared Diamond). The point remains economics and education. > >Also, I would point out that some people are curious beyond being aware of >status (I believe snobbery is rampant in all human endeavours - >conservationism as well). Much can be learned from these organisms, >especially with the extremely rapid pace of science. It is very likely >that what is learnt may very well be the strongest motivation for much >more substanial conservation efforts. > >Finally, I believe that this thread is getting off the more important >point. Given that people will continue to keep reefs, how can the home >aquaria reef industry continue without significant environmental impact. >I proposed licensing people as a means education or discouragement. >I am curious as to other constructive ideas. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From reefcare at cura.net Sat Nov 3 16:39:39 2001 From: reefcare at cura.net (Paul Hoetjes) Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 17:39:39 -0400 Subject: Divers and Fish References: <200111020328.fA23Suu25340@laknet.slt.lk> <00ea01c163f0$a0ebe6c0$3c8dfea9@MyHost> Message-ID: <3BE4641A.7CF5C831@cura.net> One thing that struck me in the long thread about impact of marine aquarium industry, is the lack of mention of the CITES convention. It should be pointed out that this "Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species" is THE instrument to control trade where there is concern about the impact. All stony corals, as well as black corals are listed on appendix II of CITES, meaning that a rigorous permitting procedure has to be gone through when transporting coral (whether alive or dead or even just products of coral such as beads or other trinkets, makes no differnce). The country of origin has to give an export permit, and thus can control the amount leaving the country, or can decide it does not want any coral leaving the country. In addition the coutnry of destination has to issue an import permit which it cannot do without the export permit having been issued. Most countries in the world are part of CITES. Most aquarium hobbyists live in "developed" countries that are very strict in enforcing CITES. I bring this up because I think that where coral trade is having a serious impact, an effective weapon against this would be through CITES. If it can be shown that the impact is in fact serious, first the country where it is taking place can be asked to account why it is still issueing export permits. If this doesn't work the country of destination can be apporached with the problem and asked to stop issuing import permits for coral originating from 'rogue' countries. As last resort CITES can be asked to place certain countries on a black list, meaning that no import permits for any CITES specimens (coral or any other organism) originating from that country will be issued. This is a very effective peressure instrument. One problem in this is the fact that CITES does not list any fish species so far (although there is a lobby to this end, mainly from the US I think). It would be good if the Aquarium Industry (MAC?), if they truly want sustainability, would join this lobby and try to get certain sensitive reef fish species listed under CITES. My point is that instead of attacking the aquarium industry and hobbyists which seemingly are mostly already converted, it would be more effective if the countries involved were attacked and held accountable for their responsibility to protect their own biodiversity and impress on them the need for sustainable development as opposed to shortsighted short term economic benefits. Then it would no longer be up to consumers who are often misinformed or uninformed, and regulations could be based on actual facts that differ from location to location. Regards, Paul Hoetjes ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From cbingman at panix.com Sat Nov 3 17:13:06 2001 From: cbingman at panix.com (Craig Bingman) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 17:13:06 -0500 (EST) Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: Message-ID: On Sat, 3 Nov 2001, James M. Cervino wrote: > Hello, > > The problem with Craig's suggestion is that there is a very small > number of peoples who understand the basic RESPONSIBILITIES of > owning a home living-room aquarium. Many peoples get into this > hobby(without understanding basic chemistry) and consistently have to > purchase new valuable endangered corals due to mistakes and not > maintaining there aquariums. Hence the revolving door of wild caught > corals continues the influx of corals into the USA. I think the part that you don't understand is that it costs thousands of dollars to set up and stock a typical reef aquarium. There may well be a "revolving door" of sorts operating in the reef hobby, but at a few thousand dollars per trip through the door, it is expensive to get in and out. People who invest that much money tend to stay in the hobby and learn. Certainly not a hundred percent of them, but a good fraction. I do everything that I can to make that fraction as close to unity as possible. Having worked with people trying to get a grip on the necessary chemistry required to understand what is happening in their systems, I can say that you would be absolutely amazed at how hard some people are willing to work to keep their charges alive, and how far people with modest educational backgrounds are willing and able to rise to this occasion. I can't begin to count the number of people who have told me that "if only they had known that chemistry was so important, they would have paid more attention in high school/college." Ultimately, it is love for their creatures that motivates people, not the money. But the money makes a very nice sticky trap that tends to keep people from revolving out of that door prematurely. I don't feel that there are any apologies that need to be made for the fact that this fraction is less than unity. After all, what is the fraction of the graduate students in a typical oceanography program that stay to degree completion, and how many of them spend the rest of their lives in that field? What fraction go on to tenured positions? ------------ In another part of this thread, someone asked about the larval capture/growout programs that exist for some ornamental marine species. If you want additional information about those, probably the best source of information would be Morgan Lidster at Inland Aquatics. http://www.inlandaquatics.com/ He is one of the leaders in the hobby in terms of offering captive-reared and captive-bred marine fish and other captive propagated marine invertebrates, and should be able to supply more information about those programs to truly interested individuals. Craig ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Sat Nov 3 18:55:05 2001 From: riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca (Mike Risk) Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 18:55:05 -0500 Subject: Divers and Fish References: Message-ID: <015a01c164cf$20c87320$3c8dfea9@MyHost> I find your reply unconvincing. From the other postings, it seems that a piece of furniture will last a good deal longer than a captive specimen in an aquarium! You seem to feel that having the financial resources to buy stock for a marine aquarium somehow conveys a sense of ecological commitment. That has not been the case with many of the examples with which I am familiar. I would be happier with the aquarium-keepers if I saw evidence of a collective movement to demand accountability and sustainability. There is another ethical issue involved here. While I laud the efforts of the aquarium trade to learn to culture fish and inverts in vitro, so to speak, we need to realise that this transfers the technology and income from the coastal residents of Third World countries, who were the "owners" of the reefs in the first place, to residents of the developed nations. A truly ethical aquarium trade would support efforts to erect sustainable export operations in host countries. And while I'm at it I may as well wish for world peace. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From firefish at sltnet.lk Sat Nov 3 21:18:25 2001 From: firefish at sltnet.lk (Prasanna Weerakkody) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 08:18:25 +0600 (GMT) Subject: Divers and Fish Message-ID: <200111040218.fA42IOg06322@lakdiva.slt.lk> As some of the pro-aquarist group has been keen to show how the trade supports the local economy I would just like to bring up one more aspect of economics that could play a main role in the equation. Eco-tourism. I know this is no-cure all, and it is not all that benign in itself either. but the basic idea that if the fish collector can be weaned into being a Trained Under-water tour guide or would depend on reef based tourism money there is a higher incentive for them to up-keep the reef intact with more "fish" on the reef. I don't believe the removal of the "fish collector" on the reef need to be accompanied by a loss of economic value to the reef. In addition to above; During the past few years the local reefs keep showing series of reef infestations and population explosions of reef organisms that take a heavy toll on the reefs. The causes of these are mostly unexplained and may be linked to selective removal of predators. (E.g: At least on one occasion an Algal bloom followed an intense collection of the Reef urchin Tripneustes for the Live Foodfish export trade (also operated by the Ornamental fish exporters themselves) supplying S/E Asia.) Regards Prasanna ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jdwsn at blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Sun Nov 4 13:34:41 2001 From: jdwsn at blue.weeg.uiowa.edu (John Dawson) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 12:34:41 -0600 Subject: terminology Message-ID: <3C0A4CD7@itsnt5.its.uiowa.edu> >===== Original Message From Anne Cohen ===== >Hello: I am wondering if there is a term in use in the biology >community that describes coral species having both symbiotic and >asymbiotic colonies i.e. a single species that occurs naturally and >healthily in both "states"; >Your ideas are appreciated, >Anne. The term would be facultative zooxanthellate. John ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- John P. Dawson Ph.D. Candidate - Department of Geoscience 121 Trowbridge Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 E-mail: jdwsn at blue.weeg.uiowa.edu; Phone: (319)-335-1818; Fax: (319)-335-1821 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Sun Nov 4 15:19:42 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 15:19:42 -0500 Subject: Coral article in Newsweek Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011104151300.00bec760@localhost> Dear CoralHedz, "Saving the Coral Reefs Some local villages in Indonesia have renounced bombs and poisons in favor of the hook and line By Ron Moreau NEWSWEEK INTERNATIONAL Nov. 12 issue ? "For 34 years said Nuhung made a fairly easy living as a fisherman. He would take his small boat out off the coastal village of Tumbak, on the eastern coast of Indonesia?s North Sulawesi province, to the reefs. Looking into the clear water, he would see schools of groupers, wrasse and coral trout feeding off the protozoans, algae and crustaceans that live among the coral. Then he would make use of the fishing techniques handed down from his father and his grandfather: he filled empty Coke bottles with fertilizers and kerosene and fashioned matches into fuses that could burn underwater. Five or 10 bombs dropped one by one over the side would send plumes of water 15 feet into the air and kill fish anywhere within a dozen meters. Nuhung had only to dive down and collect a boatload of the larger, marketable fish and leave the rest for the gulls and sharks... ...'I always knew blast fishing was harmful,'says the 56-year-old. 'hen I suddenly realized that by bombing the reefs I was destroying not only my own but my children?s future.' And little further down: "...Indonesia?s coral reefs are in trouble. Coral mining, industrial pollution and toxic agricultural runoff all play a role in their destruction, but the fishermen have been the worst offenders. They not only bomb fish but also poison them with cyanide, an equally destructive practice. The fishermen are also among the biggest potential victims of the devastation." The rest is at: Best wishes, Ursula TURTLE TRAX http://www.turtles.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From cbingman at panix.com Sun Nov 4 17:20:01 2001 From: cbingman at panix.com (Craig Bingman) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 17:20:01 -0500 (EST) Subject: Divers and Fish In-Reply-To: <015a01c164cf$20c87320$3c8dfea9@MyHost> Message-ID: On Sat, 3 Nov 2001, Mike Risk wrote: > I find your reply unconvincing. From the other postings, it seems that a > piece of furniture will last a good deal longer than a captive specimen in > an aquarium! First, I don't recall any aquarist commenting on the longevity of reef fish or other marine organisms in aquaria. There was a post from Daphne, indicating that she feels that anemones are short-lived in aquaria. I would contrast what she has written with the experience of my friends in the hobby and several public aquaria, where tropical host anemones have reproduced by binary fission (primarily E. quadricolor) and have survived for periods of time greatly longer than five years. Many reef fish (given proper care) probably survive much longer in aquaria than they would have in the ocean. Stony corals have been fragmented and passed from aquarium to aquarium. Although the technology for keeping them alive has been widely distributed for only the last ten years or so, there are several clonal strains in the hobby that are that old or nearly so. Moreover, you are missing the point. If you buy a piece of furniture, you don't have to feed it, you don't need to learn anything about keeping tropical hardwoods alive. You need not develop any sort of appreciate for the natural environment of tropical hardwoods. It just sits there like, well, a piece of furniture. You sit on it, eat on it, lay down on it (whichever is appropriate) and none of those activities promote ecological awareness. Perhaps I'm hanging around in the wrong circles, but I've never once heard a person, on looking at a piece of furniture, exclaim "gawd, tropical hardwood trees are magnificent and precious!" Probably because they aren't looking at a tree. They are looking at a tree that was sawn into lumber, assembled into a piece of furniture and bears zero resemblance to the organism of origin. Contrast this experience with what goes on when you own an aquarium. You are constantly taking care of it. You are making up for evaporation, putting calcium and carbonate alkalinity into the system. Feeding the fish and invertebrates. Removing nutrients via some physical chemical process, bioassimilation or dilution. You are, in short, the manager of a tiny patch of coral reef and it is absolutely dependent on you for every vital function, from illumination to water motion. You are responsible for selecting a suitable group of organisms, so that algae don't grow unchecked, so that there isn't undue aggression, etc. It is quite a balancing act. People become quite good at it, and learn a great deal along the way. > You seem to feel that having the financial resources to buy > stock for a marine aquarium somehow conveys a sense of ecological > commitment. That has not been the case with many of the examples with which > I am familiar. Without knowing more about the unspecified examples "with which you are familiar," it is difficult for me to to speak to them. If you invest kilodollars in a reef setup and fail to learn the relevant lessons, then you have taken a kilodollar financial bath. Ouch. If you spend kilodollars on tropical hardwood furniture, you get to sit on it whether or not you learn anything. > I would be happier with the aquarium-keepers if I saw > evidence of a collective movement to demand accountability and > sustainability. There are collective movements to promote accountability and sustainability. > There is another ethical issue involved here. While I laud the efforts of > the aquarium trade to learn to culture fish and inverts in vitro, so to > speak, we need to realize that this transfers the technology and income from > the coastal residents of Third World countries, who were the "owners" of the > reefs in the first place, to residents of the developed nations. No, if the techniques and technology are invented here, then no technology is transfered *from* third world countries. As things stand, the technology and techniques for captive propagating these animals have been developed in first world countries, and in many cases, transfered *to* third world countries for their benefit. It is enormously expensive in terms of the required amount of electrical energy for light and water pumps to captive propagate stony corals in, let's say, New York, where I live. It is much more economical where labor is inexpensive and light is free, like on the reef. Labor is inexpensive there as well. As a spin-off benefit, these initiatives help foster the idea in these third world communities that reef corals are intrinsically valuable, and they aren't just an obstacle to catching fish and good primarily for scraping the bottoms of boats. Moreover, I think you are holding us to a standard that is rarely, if ever, met in the real world. I ate some bread today. Does that mean I need to send some money to the middle east, where wheat was first cultivated and domesticated? Was it wrong for us to bring that plant to the United States? I guess that all of those farmers in Kansas are denying middle eastern farmers their birthright to be the sole cultivators of wheat! Probably some folks in central and south America have a bone to pick with us over the corn and potato issue as well. > A truly ethical aquarium trade would support efforts to erect sustainable > export operations in host countries. And while I'm at it I may as well wish > for world peace. There have been and are a number of efforts to culture corals and other invertebrates in third world countries. A variety of techniques and technologies have been used. These range from fragmentation and grow-out of stony corals in local lagoons to more cash and technology intensive clam propagation efforts. While the aquarium hobby is far from perfect, there is a great deal of momentum towards sustainability and captive propagation. This is all happening spontaneously, largely due to forces inside the hobby. Craig -- cbingman at panix.com http://fpage1.ba.best.com/~cbingman ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From acohen at whoi.edu Sun Nov 4 12:13:13 2001 From: acohen at whoi.edu (Anne Cohen) Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 09:13:13 -0800 Subject: terminology Message-ID: <3BE57729.18D0A4D1@whoi.edu> Hello: I am wondering if there is a term in use in the biology community that describes coral species having both symbiotic and asymbiotic colonies i.e. a single species that occurs naturally and healthily in both "states"; Your ideas are appreciated, Anne. ..................................... Dr A.L. Cohen Geology and Geophysics ms#23 Clark BLDG Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA 02543 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu Sun Nov 4 12:59:36 2001 From: fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu (FAUTIN DAPHNE G) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 11:59:36 -0600 (CST) Subject: terminology Message-ID: <200111050010.AAA60110@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> I know of no single term to describe this but I would be pleased to learn of one. While we are on the subject, though, it might be good to clarify the terms that do exist. Here are how I understand them. ZOOXANTHELLATE refers to a species? an individual? (or either?) that contains zooxanthellae. In 1985, Schuhmacher and Zibrowius (Coral Reefs 4:1-9) distinguished between zooxanthellate and hermatypic, which had until then been used more or less interchangeably (so read the earlier literature with that in mind). AZOOXANTHELLATE, then, is the opposite -- a species/individual/either lacking zooxanthellae. When there is no chance of confusion with other symbioses, what is meant by "zooxanthellate" may be termed "SYMBIOTIC," and "azooxanthellate" "ASYMBIOTIC." This is how Anne uses the terms in her question. APOSYMBIOTIC refers to an individual (including a colony) that has lost its symbionts. Thus a bleached polyp would be termed aposymbiotic, but a newly-settled polyp of a species in which the zooxanthellae are acquired from the environment that has not yet obtained algae would not be. I increasingly see the term "aposymbiotic" used in the sense I define above as "asymbiotic." Daphne Fautin On Sun, 4 Nov 2001, Anne Cohen wrote: > Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 09:13:13 -0800 > From: Anne Cohen > To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" > Subject: terminology > > Hello: I am wondering if there is a term in use in the biology > community that describes coral species having both symbiotic and > asymbiotic colonies i.e. a single species that occurs naturally and > healthily in both "states"; > Your ideas are appreciated, > Anne. > > > > ..................................... > Dr A.L. Cohen > Geology and Geophysics > ms#23 Clark BLDG > Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution > Woods Hole MA 02543 Daphne G. Fautin Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Haworth Hall University of Kansas 1200 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA telephone 1-785-864-3062 fax 1-785-864-5321 for e-mail, please use fautin at ku.edu lab web page: www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones, released 12 July 2001 *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu Sun Nov 4 13:18:59 2001 From: fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu (FAUTIN DAPHNE G) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 12:18:59 -0600 (CST) Subject: Trees and Fish Message-ID: <200111050011.AAA59741@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Craig and others, With regard to the interchange below, if we are looking at it from the perspective of ecosystem functioning, the two have the same effect. The organism has been removed from the environment: it therefore contributes no more genes to future generations, the carbon and nutrients contained in its tissues are not available for recycling, and the structure it provides in situ has gone. It is irrelevant that one is dead and one technically remains alive after removal (notwithstanding the issue of mortality rate in collecting and shipping live organisms). Obviously, the amount of biomass is quite different between the two, but the numbers are reversed in terms of individuals. Who is to say one is more significant than the other? If the aquarium animal were to be propagated (fragmented or bred), thereby lessening removal of organisms in the future, it might be said to have a long-term positive effect on the environment, but that would still not replace the loss of that individual. Furniture could have a similar effect -- if it is made to last, that could diminish harvest of trees in future. In fact, it could be argued that the expected "life-time" of the furniture in a home in Berlin or Ottawa is greater than that of a particular fish or gorgonian. This does not address the value to the consumer or to society, including educational value, which has been the gist of most of the discussion. But in terms of the ecosystem itself, it seems to me there is little to choose between them -- neither is sustainable, as was originally said. Daphne Fautin > > It is precisely these arguments that have been used to support "selective" > > harvesting of tropical hardwoods. The present aquarium live trade, in both > > fish and inverts, is not sustainable. > > There is a big difference between maintaining a live aquarium fish or > invertebrate in one's home and having a dead piece of wood in the form of > furnature in one's home. The analogy you have made is better with the > harvest coral skeletons, seahorses and other marine life for the > manufacture of dead curios, ornaments and medicinal purposes. > > If you want to keep them alive, and everyone who buys a live fish has some > interest in maintaining it in live condition, then you need to learn some > biology and chemistry. If you want to keep a reef aquarium, you are > absolutely forced to confront many of the same problems that confront > corals in the wild (eutrophication, disease, calcium carbonate saturation > state, importance of herbivores, etc.) > > You are required to learn absolutely nothing about hardwood conservation > issues and issues confronting the survivial of tropical hardwoods by > having a piece of dead furnature in your home. Certainly, some > exceptional individuals *might* be inspired to learn something about > tropical hardwood conservation when they buy a piece of hardwood > furnature. One absolutely *must* learn about issues relevant to the fate > of reefs when one seeks to maintain a successful reef aquarium. It is not > optional. > > Craig Daphne G. Fautin Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Haworth Hall University of Kansas 1200 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA telephone 1-785-864-3062 fax 1-785-864-5321 for e-mail, please use fautin at ku.edu lab web page: www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones, released 12 July 2001 *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From delbeek at waquarium.org Sun Nov 4 19:10:08 2001 From: delbeek at waquarium.org (Charles Delbeek) Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 14:10:08 -1000 Subject: aquarium concerns In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011104133555.00b39a40@mail.waquarium.org> At 12:20 PM 11/2/2001 -0500, you wrote: >Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from >PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the >Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways >other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should >seek to limit all sources. John: Not to say your point is without merit but in Hawaii tropical marine fish have been imported into this state for decades, and there have been numerous releases over that time span, however, there has not been a single incident of any aquarium fish forming a reproducing population here that I am aware of. I would hazard to guess that the same may also occur in Florida. Yes you do occasionally see sightings of Centropyge flavissimus in Kaneohe Bay and elsewhere around Oahu and the odd damsel here and there, but that's about it. Where there has been catastrophic changes have been when the state government, despite advise from scientific consultants released fishes here such as the bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira, and the peacock grouper, Cephalopholis argus, the snapper in particular has been implicated in the decline of local snapper species. There have also been attempts in the last few decades to seed reefs with giant clams and some corals from the south Pacific, none of which survived. In contrast, the freshwater streams and lakes on several of the islands are almost completely dominated by aquarium fishes such as cichlids and livebearers. In this case, the lack of any competition in the local freshwaters probably played a significant role. Aloha! J. Charles Delbeek Aquarium Biologist Waikiki Aquarium 2777 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 808-923-9741 808-923-1771 FAX ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From McCarty_and_Peters at compuserve.com Sun Nov 4 20:24:20 2001 From: McCarty_and_Peters at compuserve.com (McCarty and Peters) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 20:24:20 -0500 Subject: terminology Message-ID: <200111042024_MC3-E5A7-1527@compuserve.com> Daphne, >> In 1985, Schuhmacher and Zibrowius (Coral Reefs 4:1-9) distinguished between zooxanthellate and hermatypic, which had until then been used more or less interchangeably (so read the earlier literature with that in mind). << Yes, but we beat them by at least a year: When is a Hermatype Not a Hermatype?, McCarty, H. B., Peters, E. C., McManus, J. W., and Pilson, M. E. Q., Atlantic Reef Committee, Advances in Reef Science Meeting, Miami, Florida, October 1984. Anne is not the first to face this terminology problem. Everyone else working on A. poculata (earlier A. danae and A. astreiformis) has faced the issue of the terminology, as well as the issue of explaining how and why the two forms (with and without significant concentrations of zooxanthellae) can exist side-by-side, and can change zooxanthellae densities over time. The problem was described in: Peters, E.C., and M.E.Q. Pilson. 1985. A comparative study of the effects of sedimentation stress on symbiotic and asymbiotic colonies of the coral Astrangia danae Milne Edwards & Haime 1849. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 92: 215-230 as well. In fact, most of us started using "zooxanthellate" instead of symbiotic in 1982 after a reviewer brought up the issue that asymbiotic "implies no other symbioses" in reviewing: Cummings, C. E. and McCarty, H. B. 1982. Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios in Astrangia danae: Evidence for Algal Modification of Carbon Pools used in Calcification, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 46: 1125-1129. The problem is that even "azooxanthellate" is inadequate, since the corals may harbor small, but countable numbers of algae in their tissues. Anne, I'm sorry to say that none of us ever found a suitable solution for the terminology. The earlier suggestion of "facultative zooxanthellate" certainly does not flow off the tongue, nor does it adequately describe the life history of species such as A. poculata (or a similar situation in Oculina varicosa and others). >From a functional standpoint "brown" and "white" describe the situation in A. poculata about as well as anything else. The problem is that we are no further along in explaining the "relationship" than we are with the terminology. Both still need work. Maybe if more tropical researchers would don wet suits and brave the northern waters at 6 degrees C when they are so clear, we'd get a better term. Chip McCarty ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From cbingman at panix.com Mon Nov 5 01:25:38 2001 From: cbingman at panix.com (Craig Bingman) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 01:25:38 -0500 (EST) Subject: Trees and Fish In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Daphne and others, While I agree that technically an organism removed from an ecosystem alive and an organism removed from an ecosystem for uses that automatically involve its death is the same in terms of loss of nutrients, etc, I'm not sure that the organisms are necessarily genetic dead-ends. After a significant loss of a particular strain of Sinularia from the wild from an island group, there was a call to aquarists to see if anyone definitely had that strain going in their systems. There was some discussion of potentially using aquarium corals to restock that area. I don't know whether or not the aquarium hobby was able to help out in that case. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of geographic confusion about where given specimens come from, once they have made it thorugh several hands and several tanks. I also think that this is a situation that needs to be approached with considerable caution, given the fact that many private aquaria are "pan-tropical" and contain organisms from many geographic locations. There would be some chance of introducing a novel disease or other undesirable organism if aquarium corals were actually used in this way. However, as reefs in the wild are under increasing pressure from many fronts, I would expect such local wipeouts to be increasingly common in the future. It no longer seems beyond the realm of possibility that aquarium corals might be used to restock wild reefs under some circumstances. My question to the reef research community is what steps the aquarium hobby could take to increase the value of our germline holdings? There has been some discussion of this in the hobby for several years. Initially, I was somewhat dismissive of the idea. But things have changed substantially over the last few years, both because of the hobby's success in captive propagation of several species, and because things seem to be falling apart in the wild at an accelerating pace. The coral strains that we would have to offer are almost without exception clonal strains. So their genetic diversity would be quite low. Obviously the best place to conserve corals is in wild populations. But things in the wild seem to be increasingly out of control. If there are any bookkeeping or other mesures that private aquarists could be taking to increase the value of their stocks, then I feel certain that the hobby would be receptive to suggestions along those lines. Craig -- cbingman at panix.com http://fpage1.ba.best.com/~cbingman ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From wallison at dhivehinet.net.mv Mon Nov 5 03:57:32 2001 From: wallison at dhivehinet.net.mv (William Allison) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 14:57:32 +0600 Subject: bereaved dolphin behaviour? Message-ID: <001c01c165d7$fe01f640$c3c801ca@z5x5l0> I have received a report of a female dolphin lingering for three days (so far) in a shallow lagoon by a dying, now dead baby dolphin. I wonder if anyone reading this has any experience with this phenomenon and any advice for concerned observers such as what to expect or do Thanks. Sincerely, Bill William (Bill) Allison Coral Reef Ecology and Management Kothanmaage South Apt. 5 Maaveyo Magu Male MALDIVES (960) 32 9667 wallison at dhivehinet.net.mv ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From sre at caribsurf.com Mon Nov 5 08:46:09 2001 From: sre at caribsurf.com (Kurt Cordice) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 08:46:09 -0500 Subject: bereaved dolphin behaviour? References: <001c01c165d7$fe01f640$c3c801ca@z5x5l0> Message-ID: <000901c16600$3a803b40$aecdd6cd@oemcomputer> Hi Bill, What you are witnessing is not an uncommon thing. She'll stay with her baby even after its dead for extended periods...essentially, as long as it take for her to mourn and decide its time to move on. Unfortunately, as with humans, there's not a whole lot you can do to help her. The only thing I would suggest is that, if possible, keep human visits to her down to a minimum. If she's going to stay in one spot for a while, people may get the idea that she needs attention and want to swim with her etc. Again, just like humans, sometimes we all need some time alone. Wish I could help though. I'm sure its not a nice thing to witness. All the best, Kurt Kurt Cordice General Coordinator Seascape Research and Education ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu Mon Nov 5 08:55:40 2001 From: fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu (FAUTIN DAPHNE G) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 07:55:40 -0600 (CST) Subject: Divers and Fish Message-ID: <200111051417.OAA61642@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Coral-listers, As I wrote, from the perspective of the environment, I see no difference between removing something that remains alive and something that does not. I explicitly was not addressing any value that may accrue to the keeper. No matter how much a person learns, or multiple people learn, by keeping an organism, it will be contributing no more genes to future generations, its carbon and nutrients will be unavailable for recycling in situ, and the physical structure it provided will be absent. I realize that vegetative propagation has been successful. As I wrote before, that works only with clonal organisms -- a minority of anemones, not all of which will survive captivity and only a tiny fraction of which are desired by enough aquarists to be commercially viable -- and perhaps half the species of corals -- many of which are unsuitable for keeping. Recognizing the successes of such propagation, as well as increasing successes in breeding, I urge all marine aquarium keepers never to acquire another organism that has come directly from the wild. If that were done, the problem I understand us to have been discussing (removal of reef denizens from nature) would be solved. Concerning aquaculture at the village level, that of giant clams showed more promise than that of most organisms because of ease in spawning and in rearing. Of the efforts of which I have been aware, none is currently viable. As others have written, if there were no other stresses on reefs, collecting for aquarium keeping might be harmless. But the sad fact is it's one of many stresses. Daphne G. Fautin Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Haworth Hall University of Kansas 1200 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA telephone 1-785-864-3062 fax 1-785-864-5321 for e-mail, please use fautin at ku.edu lab web page: www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones, released 12 July 2001 *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Mon Nov 5 09:21:23 2001 From: riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca (Mike Risk) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 09:21:23 -0500 Subject: Coral article in Newsweek References: <4.3.2.7.2.20011104151300.00bec760@localhost> Message-ID: <006601c16605$26c1f6c0$3c8dfea9@MyHost> Hi Ursula. While commendable, this article is somewhat out of date. Name of the mag could be Newsdecade. Tumbak is at or very near the global centre of marine biodiversity, so we should all be concerned about what goes on there. Threats to the reefs in the region have been well-documented elsewhere, especially by Tom Tomascik. There are some success stories. Educational programs involving the ethnic groups making up Indonesia's "sea gypsies" (Bugis, Badjo, etc) have had some impact. In addition, there are two programs with (at least in part) foreign funding that make the rest of them look like the disgraceful pork-barrel lashups they really are. Kehati is an NGO working on marine programs, using primary education as a major tool. Mark Erdmann's work out of Bunaken on cyanide-fishing is having some impact. In addition, USAid funds a community-based program in Blongko, on Sulawesi, that has been extremely effective. They brought in masks and flippers, showed the village what the reef looked like-village set up and now polices their own marine reserve. This and some other success stories were documented in a TV special, People of the Reefs, shown last January on Vision TV. This has some spectacular footage of fish bombing. Someone may have taped a copy you could lay your hands on. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From gigi101 at bellsouth.net Thu Nov 1 20:37:34 2001 From: gigi101 at bellsouth.net (Trish Hunt) Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 20:37:34 -0500 Subject: divers and fish Message-ID: <200111051433.OAA58069@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> And so it begins another heated debate. I must agree with Mr. Crockett here, and thank him for trying. While I have seen many debates on this list as to why coral reefs are dying, I have not seen one single correct answer. I am not a marine biologist by certificate?yet. However, I have become somewhat of a lay biologist as Mr. Crockett has suggested. I have also begun working at a local fish store part time in order to enhance my education and to get an inside look at where corals, inverts, and fish are coming from, at least into this one store. I am pleased to report that no fish come into our store that is collected with cyanide unless a customer specifically requests that species and pays for the fish in advance. Then, the owners of the store do try to talk the customer out of that fish, informing the customer of the collection practices of that species and the low rate of survival of fish collected with cyanide. Give me a few more months and I will learn where ?we? get our corals, sponges, and anemones. Hermits come in from breeders; I have learned that. We also have horseshoe crabs, also from breeders. Most of the fish also come in from breeders, but I cannot tell you that all of my store?s fish are not caught off of reef systems. But as for aquarists themselves, not all are monsters as some scientists think. Personally, I have changed my entire life and career goals based from caring for my 55 gal. reef tank, 3 fish, and sitting on this coral list; I have felt that I have to do something to save these systems around the world. While I am ?young,? ?inexperienced,? and lacking the proper education in the area, I am working on that education (and frankly this calculus is kicking my butt)! I feel I have already become a better aquarium hobbyist for sitting on this list and learning about the degradation of reef systems all over the world. But I will soon become a ?real? scientist because of that hobby as well. Based on Mr. Crockett?s observations of the people of Fiji, you can take people to water but you can?t make them drink. You can teach people about the importance of their environment, but you can?t make them protect it. Some people just don?t get it. Some hobbyists don?t get it (I will admit that), some peoples don?t get it, some governments don?t get it, and some ?scientists? don?t get it. In diving, fishing, collecting, or not collecting, the best you can do is educate people and hope for the best. In the case of hobbyists, I really believe that people new to the hobby really try to be responsible in what they bring into their homes. You may think that is awfully trusting of me, but we are living in a society that has been brought up to be environmentally conscious. You have to admit that (for example) recycling programs have come a long way in the past 10 years as testimony to the environmentally aware Americans of today. I also implore you to not point the finger at any one group and educate yourself on the passion that people like myself and (obviously) Mr. Crockett have for the inhabitants of our home. Yes, due to a lack of education I did lose my plate coral, but I assure you that I haven?t added anything else to my aquarium yet and won?t until I have fully researched the inhabitant I wish to add. The aquarium hobby is like an art, as well as a science. Like any other science, it is a total learning experience. Perhaps one day we will find the correct answer that will make everyone happy. But one answer that no one wants to admit to that will not make any one person happy, everyone eludes to here. In this sue happy world where everyone wants to blame everyone else about everything right down to the degradation of coral reefs, everyone (including myself) needs to look into the mirror for their answer. We are all to blame in some way, it doesn?t matter who you are. We can all do a little better to protect the reefs of the world. But instead, one group of scientists would rather blame the aquarium hobby, another group wants to blame land-based pollution, while another group wants to discount that claim while saying they only say that because of money, while another group blames warming ocean waters, and still another group may blame the governments? of the world lack of protection and caring. I have seen these arguments come and go with a lot of bad feelings between scientists and groups, cliques if you will, of scientists, and no one ever comes to a conclusion or a solution as to how ?we? are going to make it better. Perhaps coral reefs are dying as a result of all these things combined, to include more reasons I don?t even know about yet. I would hate to think that it is only because of one source. We have seen evidence of many different reasons why reef systems are dying. Perhaps the correct answer is for the scientific community to put a halt to their fighting over the subject, continue their research and educating others in their particular areas, put all this knowledge on all the different aspects of reef degradation into a big pile and have a sensible session of ?Ok, what can we do to help fix all these different problems?? The only reason I have seen as to why this hasn?t happened yet is because of research money coming from different areas. One scientist or group won?t get their money for research if they ?get too involved.? Other scientists or groups get more money if they discredit their peers working on issues they are in competition with. If you want to blame one aspect of coral reef degradation, maybe that one thing needs to be money. Money has turned potentially good scientific work into hogwash and made people with good hearts into greedy scientific politicians. If the scientific community as a whole could take money out of the equation for all, maybe you would all be able to get done what you all started out doing fresh out of college. Please don?t take anything I have said in a wrong context. This was a debate and another answer seeking session. If I were to blame coral reef degradation, I would blame it on money polluting the scientific community. But, otherwise, until I am ?educated? otherwise, I feel it is a combination of all things. Not just the aquarium hobby, not just the diving community, not just the fishermen, not just land-based pollution, not just blast fishing, not just beach restoration projects, not just warmer ocean waters, not just bio-eroding sponges and urchins, not just anything?but all of it at the same time. Let the flaming begin. Patricia Hunt Florida Community College at Jacksonville Soon to be at Jacksonville University ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jim.hendee at noaa.gov Mon Nov 5 09:40:23 2001 From: jim.hendee at noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 14:40:23 GMT Subject: delayed posts Message-ID: <200111051440.OAA61447@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Greetings, You may have noticed that some posts do not make it through to coral-list for many hours or sometimes even days after they were originally sent. Most often this is because you now have a new email address and didn't unsubscribe from your old address and are now trying to send from your new address (but mail to your old address still gets to your new one); or sometimes because you send your message to owner-coral-list instead of to coral-list because your mail program sees the message this way. In either case, the message gets bounced for me to approved, and some days (like today, when I had 295 messages in my inbox because people did not unsubscribe, or like probelms above) I may not get to forwarding your message to the list right away. PLEASE try to unsubscribe from old address and subscribe to new ones when you are aware of the change, and make sure you are sending your coral-list posts to the correct address (namely, coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov). Thank you very much for your cooperation. Now, back to my inbox... Cheers, Jim coral-list admin ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu Sun Nov 4 12:59:36 2001 From: fautin at falcon.cc.ku.edu (FAUTIN DAPHNE G) Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 11:59:36 -0600 (CST) Subject: terminology Message-ID: <200111050010.AAA60110@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> I know of no single term to describe this but I would be pleased to learn of one. While we are on the subject, though, it might be good to clarify the terms that do exist. Here are how I understand them. ZOOXANTHELLATE refers to a species? an individual? (or either?) that contains zooxanthellae. In 1985, Schuhmacher and Zibrowius (Coral Reefs 4:1-9) distinguished between zooxanthellate and hermatypic, which had until then been used more or less interchangeably (so read the earlier literature with that in mind). AZOOXANTHELLATE, then, is the opposite -- a species/individual/either lacking zooxanthellae. When there is no chance of confusion with other symbioses, what is meant by "zooxanthellate" may be termed "SYMBIOTIC," and "azooxanthellate" "ASYMBIOTIC." This is how Anne uses the terms in her question. APOSYMBIOTIC refers to an individual (including a colony) that has lost its symbionts. Thus a bleached polyp would be termed aposymbiotic, but a newly-settled polyp of a species in which the zooxanthellae are acquired from the environment that has not yet obtained algae would not be. I increasingly see the term "aposymbiotic" used in the sense I define above as "asymbiotic." Daphne Fautin On Sun, 4 Nov 2001, Anne Cohen wrote: > Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 09:13:13 -0800 > From: Anne Cohen > To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" > Subject: terminology > > Hello: I am wondering if there is a term in use in the biology > community that describes coral species having both symbiotic and > asymbiotic colonies i.e. a single species that occurs naturally and > healthily in both "states"; > Your ideas are appreciated, > Anne. > > > > ..................................... > Dr A.L. Cohen > Geology and Geophysics > ms#23 Clark BLDG > Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution > Woods Hole MA 02543 Daphne G. Fautin Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Haworth Hall University of Kansas 1200 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA telephone 1-785-864-3062 fax 1-785-864-5321 for e-mail, please use fautin at ku.edu lab web page: www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones, released 12 July 2001 *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Mon Nov 5 15:07:04 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 15:07:04 -0500 Subject: aquarium concerns In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011104133555.00b39a40@mail.waquarium.org> Message-ID: Hi Charles, Yes, I do find it fascinating that coral reefs seem to have resisted invasion from aquarium fish so far. Your examples from Hawaii are very helpful in that regard. My impression is that healthy coral reefs, at least, are particularly unhealthy for anything out of place. Even a fish frightened by a diver will often be devoured in a matter of seconds for being slightly more vulnerable to a barracuda or other predator than normal. This may be less true in overfished reef areas. There may be a high critical threshold in starting a new population -- which has implications in particular for the resilience of Hawaiian reefs to local extinctions. I'm quite worried about mass culture facilities in out-of-normal-range locations providing the critical thresholds during hurricanes. Thus, the recent discovery of exotic coral facilities in the Caribbean is worrying. Then there is always the problem of "low probability over long periods of time and large numbers of trials". However, I would opt for the greatest immediate concern being put on mass culture and holding facilities in unnatural locations. Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4600 www.ncoremiami.org -----Original Message----- From: Charles Delbeek [mailto:delbeek at waquarium.org] Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 7:10 PM To: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Re: aquarium concerns At 12:20 PM 11/2/2001 -0500, you wrote: >Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from >PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the >Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways >other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should >seek to limit all sources. John: Not to say your point is without merit but in Hawaii tropical marine fish have been imported into this state for decades, and there have been numerous releases over that time span, however, there has not been a single incident of any aquarium fish forming a reproducing population here that I am aware of. I would hazard to guess that the same may also occur in Florida. Yes you do occasionally see sightings of Centropyge flavissimus in Kaneohe Bay and elsewhere around Oahu and the odd damsel here and there, but that's about it. Where there has been catastrophic changes have been when the state government, despite advise from scientific consultants released fishes here such as the bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira, and the peacock grouper, Cephalopholis argus, the snapper in particular has been implicated in the decline of local snapper species. There have also been attempts in the last few decades to seed reefs with giant clams and some corals from the south Pacific, none of which survived. In contrast, the freshwater streams and lakes on several of the islands are almost completely dominated by aquarium fishes such as cichlids and livebearers. In this case, the lack of any competition in the local freshwaters probably played a significant role. Aloha! J. Charles Delbeek Aquarium Biologist Waikiki Aquarium 2777 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 808-923-9741 808-923-1771 FAX ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Walt.Jaap at fwc.state.fl.us Mon Nov 5 15:20:17 2001 From: Walt.Jaap at fwc.state.fl.us (Jaap, Walt) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 20:20:17 GMT Subject: No subject Message-ID: <200111052020.UAA59494@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Multivariate Statistical Analysis Workshop The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Primer-E announce a workshop, 5-8 February, 2002 at the Florida Marine Research Institute laboratories, 100 8th Ave SE St. Petersburg, Florida. The workshop instructor will be Dr. K. Robert Clarke, one of the creators of the Primer package of multivariate software. Dr. Clarke has published numerous papers that have pioneered the use of multivariate statistics to look at changes in marine communities. Workshop costs and Logistics The workshop costs (US$) are: Tuition: $500 Full-time, registered University Student: $350 In addition, all participants are expected to purchase a single user license of Primer version 5, if they do not already own one. The following discounted license prices are offered to workshop participants: Single-user license $630 (normal cost is $840). Academic (Faculty, Researcher, Student, Staff) single-user license $315 (normal cost is $420). If you are currently a registered owner of Primer Version 4 for DOS, you can upgrade to Primer v5 for the following prices: Single-user upgrade license: $315 (normal cost is $420). Academic single-user upgrade license: $157 (normal cost is $210). It is recommended that each attendee bring a portable PC to the workshop, on which PRIMER is installed (or to be installed) and used for the practical sessions. For those PCs on which PRIMER is to be installed, they should possess a CD-ROM drive, run Windows 95 or later (98, NT, ME, 2000, etc.) and also have installed a copy of Excel 97 (or later). Travel and Lodging St. Petersburg is served by Tampa International and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airports. Regular service by most major carriers is available. The FMRI laboratories are located on the University of South Florida Bayboro Campus at the end of First Street South, approximately 10 minutes from exit 9 (I-175) on US Interstate 275. More information on lodging and directions are available on the FMRI website at: http://www.floridamarine.org/docs/map_directions2.pdf Hotels in 10-15 minute walking distance of the FMRI laboratories include: Bayboro Inn: 727-823-0498 Hilton: 727-894-5000 Beach Park: 727-898-6325 Ponce deLeon: 727-550-9300 Heritage-Holiday Inn: 727-321-2958 To Register please complete the attached course registration form and return with payment. Note that all course participants must have a licensed copy of PRIMER version 5. Participants who need to purchase PRIMER or upgrade their current version of PRIMER can do so by completing the attached PRIMER purchase form and returning it with payment directly to PRIMER-E. Questions regarding the course may be directed to: Walter Jaap, Florida Marine Research Institute 100 8th Ave. SE Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 727-896-8626 email: walt.jaap at fwc.state.fl.us Questions regarding purchase or upgrade of PRIMER software may be directed to: Cathy Clarke, PRIMER-E Ltd 6 Hedingham Gardens Roborough Plymouth PL6 7DX United Kingdom Tel/Fax: +44 1752 783366 E-mail: admin at primer-e.com Workshop Content The workshop will take place over four days. It will cover the statistical analysis of assemblage data (species by sample matrices of abundance/biomass/area cover etc) which arise in a diverse range of applications in environmental science and ecology. Data sets include local environmental impact assessments, basic biological studies (e.g. of dietary composition), and wide scale monitoring of biodiversity change. The methods covered are generic and applicable in terrestrial, freshwater, palaeontological etc contexts. Examples used in the workshop will all be from marine and estuarine studies. Many of these are of soft sediment, coral reef or fish assemblages monitored for environmental impacts resulting from marine oil operations, organic enrichment, physical disturbance, climate change etc, but also covered are more fundamental studies, linking faunal patterns to physico-chemical variables, and analysing field and mesocosm experiments. Dr K R Clarke, an honorary fellow of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, will lead the workshop; he is a researcher in ecological statistics and has worked for many years at the PML, where he was responsible for adapting and developing the methods underlying the PRIMER package. The programme will be a mixture of lectures on the methodology and computer practical sessions, analysing real case studies, combined with the opportunity for participants to bring some of their own data to the workshop, for initial analysis. The emphasis throughout is on practical application and interpretation, the theoretical aspects (e.g. the multivariate statistical methods) being designed to be robust and easy to understand, so that prior statistical knowledge is not a prerequisite. The exercises throughout the workshop will develop skills in operating PRIMER and interpreting its results. The exposition will cover the features available in the PRIMER v5 (for Windows) package (Plymouth Routines In Multivariate Ecological Research). The workshop will consider univariate, graphical and multivariate routines: hierarchical clustering into sample (or species) groups (CLUSTER); ordination by non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) and principal components (PCA) to summarise patterns in species composition and environmental variables. Participants will learn permutation-based hypothesis testing (ANOSIM), an analogue of univariate ANOVA which tests for differences between groups of (multivariate) samples from different times, locations, experimental treatments etc, and identifying the species primarily providing the discrimination between two observed sample clusters (SIMPER). Additionally, lectures will cover linking of multivariate biotic patterns to suites of environmental variables (BIO-ENV); comparative (Mantel-type) tests on similarity matrices (RELATE); standard diversity indices; dominance plots; aggregation of arrays to allow data analysis at higher taxonomic levels; and matching of sample patterns from different faunal arrays. The latter is accomplished by BVSTEP, a stepwise algorithm generalising BIO-ENV, which can be used, for example, to find 'influential species', and 2STAGE, a second-stage MDS in which relationships between a large set of ordinations can be visualised. A further unique feature of PRIMER v5 is the ability to calculate biodiversity indices based on the taxonomic distinctness or relatedness of the species making up a quantitative sample or species list, indices whose statistical properties are robust to variations in sampling effort. These routines (TAXDTEST) allow formal hypothesis tests for change in biodiversity structure at a location, by comparison with a regional 'species pool', and permit valid comparisons of biodiversity patterns over wide space and time scales, when sampling effort is not controlled. Statistical Analysis and Interpretation of Assemblage Data from Environmental Studies, using PRIMER for Windows (v5) Workshop Programme Tuesday, February 5, 2002 09:00-09:15 Introduction 09:15-10:30 Lecture: Measures of similarity of species abundance/biomass between samples, including the effects of data transformation 10:30-10:45 Coffee break 10:45-11:30 Lecture: Hierarchical clustering (CLUSTER) 11:30-13:00 Practical session on installing PRIMER, CLUSTER and reading in 'own data'* 13:00-14:15 Lunch break 14:15-15:15 Lecture: Ordination by Principal Components Analysis (PCA) 15:15-15:30 Coffee break 15:30-16:30 Lecture: Ordination by Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) 16:30-17:45 Practical session on MDS and 'own data' Wednesday, February 6, 2002 09:00-10:30 Lecture: Testing for differences between groups of samples (ANOSIM, 1- and 2-way) 10:30-10:45 Coffee break 10:45-11:30 Practical session on 1- and 2-way ANOSIM 11:30-12:00 Lecture: Determining species which discriminate two groups of samples (SIMPER) 12:00-13:00 Practical session on SIMPER and 'own data' 13:00-14:15 Lunch break 14:15-14:45 Lecture: Diversity measures (DIVERSE) and dominance curves 14:45-15:15 Practical session on DIVERSE and dominance curves 15:15-15:30 Coffee break 15:30-16:30 Lecture: Taxonomic distinctness as a biodiversity measure (TAXDTEST) 16:30-17:45 Practical session on TAXDTEST and 'own data' Thursday, February 7, 2002 09:00-10:30 Lecture: Linking community analyses to environmental variables (BIO-ENV) 10:30-10:45 Coffee break 10:45-11:45 Practical session on PCA, draftsman plots, BIO-ENV and 'own data' 11:45-12:30 Lecture: Multivariate measures of impact: meta-analyses, seriation (RELATE) and dispersion (MVDISP) 12:30-13:00 Practical session on RELATE 13:00-17:00 Lunch, and a canoe-kayak adventure in Weedon Island Mangrove forest Friday, February 8, 2002 09:00-10:30 Lecture: Comparison of ordinations I: Testing in a 2-way layout with no replication (ANOSIM2) and species subsets determining overall pattern (BVSTEP) 10:30-10:45 Coffee break 10:45-11:30 Practical session on ANOSIM2 and BVSTEP or 'own data' 11:30-12:00 Lecture: Comparisons of ordinations II: 2nd stage MDS (2STAGE) 12:00-12:45 Practical session on 2STAGE or 'own data' 12:45-13:00 Wind-up session: any remaining questions 13:00- Lunch and depart *Participants should bring any 'own data' they wish to try out in these sessions in the form of simple rectangular arrays with (say) species as rows and samples as columns, the entries being numeric (counts or % area cover or biomass etc), stored as an Excel spreadsheet. Further case studies can be provided for these sessions for participants who do not have a convenient example data set from their own studies to hand. Registration: Multivariate Statistical Analysis Workshop Registration Florida Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida February 5-8, 2002 Name:________________________________________________ Affiliation:_____________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________ ________________________________________________ PHONE:_________________________FAX:__________________________ e-mail:_______________________________ Fee:___________________________________ Full Registration: $500.00 Full-time, registered University Student: $350 [include documentation] Note you must possess PRIMER v5 to participate. To purchase or upgrade PRIMER at a discounted rate, please use attached PRIMER purchase/upgrade form. Method of payment in US dollars Make Checks to: Wildlife Foundation of Florida Credit Card (Visa Only) Card Number:__________________________ Expiration Date:____________________ Authorized Signature:_____________________________ Remit Payment to: Jeanne Hoyt FWC Florida Marine Research Institute 100 8th Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: (727) 896-8626 Email: jeanne.hoyt at fwc.state.fl.us PRIMER Purchase/Upgrade Form Name:________________________________________________ Affiliation:_____________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________ ________________________________________________ PHONE:_________________________FAX:__________________________ e-mail:_______________________________ Fee:___________________________________ The following discounted license prices are offered to workshop participants: Single-user license $630 (normal cost is $840). Academic (Faculty, Researcher, Student, Staff) single-user license $315 (normal cost is $420). If you are currently a registered owner of Primer Version 4 for DOS, you can upgrade to Primer v5 for the following prices: Single-user upgrade license: $315 (normal cost is $420). Academic single-user upgrade license: $157 (normal cost is $210). Method of payment in US dollars Make Checks to: PRIMER-E Credit Card (Visa or Master Card only) Card Number:__________________________ Expiration Date:____________________ Authorized Signature:_____________________________ Remit Payment to: PRIMER-E Ltd 6 Hedingham Gardens Roborough Plymouth PL6 7DX United Kingdom Tel/Fax: +44 1752 783366 E-mail: admin at primer-e.com http://www.primer-e.com/ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Mon Nov 5 16:07:04 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 16:07:04 -0500 Subject: Alternative livelihoods Message-ID: In considering the pros and cons of the aquarium industry, tourism, etc. as means of alleviating fishing pressure, it is important to have some idea of the magnitude of the problem. There is a rule of thumb that in a fishery in which most fishers are barely making a living (and a few other but common criteria), the reduction in fishing effort necessary to achieve a reasonable effort target (the Maximum Economic Yield, MEY) is about 60%. Thus, if you have a reef with 1,000 impoverished fishers, you should try to find alternative livelihoods to get 600 of them out of the fishery, or to reduce the fishing time across a larger percentage of them to achieve the same reduction in effort. Coastal coral reefs often have tens to hundreds of fishers per square mile. In more crowded and hence more desperate situations, children often fish, or gather, and thus do not spend much time in school. This lowers the trainability for alternative livelihoods. There is also often a strong social/personal drive, such that small-scale fishers often continue fishing while suffering a net loss, subsidized by income from offspring working in cities. Finding alternative livelihoods is a very frustrating task, but a vital one. The best approach often involves a variety of approaches and various types of reorganization in coastal communities as part of integrated coastal management. Because the coastlines are so long and the problem so daunting (there may be 30 million people dependent on coral reef fisheries), we hope for crude improvements over large areas more than major successes in a few sites. The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) includes an emphasis on improving community to community transfer of improved coastal management, via means including transporting people to learn from demonstration sites. Note that this is an example where the science may be sufficient but the organization and development funding may not be. Better science (biophysical and socioeconomic) will help immensely, but we concurrently need to implement what we know. We need to scale up both the science and the on-the-ground action. So, there is a scramble to find ways to reduce fishing on reefs, and many concurrent approaches will be necessary. For more on the 60% rule, see: McManus, J.W. 1996. Social and economic aspects of reef fisheries and their management. Chapter 10. p. 249-181. In: N. Polunin and C. Roberts (eds.) Coral Reef Fisheries. Chapman and Hall. 477 p. For more on community-oriented ICM, try: Talaue-McManus, L. Integrated Coastal Management. The Philippine Experience, pp. 213-227 In: B. von Bodungen and R. K. Turner (eds.) Science and Integrated Coastal Management. Dahlem University Press, 2001, 378 p. Talaue-McManus, L., A. C. Yambao, S. G. Salmo, P. M. Ali?o. 1999. Participatory planning for coastal development in Bolinao, Philippines. In: D. Buckles (ed.) Conflict and Collaboration In Natural Resource Management, pp. 148-157. International Development Research Centre/ World Bank, Ottawa, Canada, 273 p. For more on the ICRAN, see: www.icran.org. Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4600 www.ncoremiami.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 3580 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011105/7b805a6a/attachment.bin From paul.holthus at aquariumcouncil.org Mon Nov 5 16:29:54 2001 From: paul.holthus at aquariumcouncil.org (Paul Holthus) Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2001 11:29:54 -1000 Subject: Environmentally sound aquarium trade Message-ID: <200111052123.fA5LN8512634@maggie.pixi.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011105/73435f8e/attachment.html From capman at augsburg.edu Tue Nov 6 01:04:09 2001 From: capman at augsburg.edu (capman at augsburg.edu) Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 00:04:09 -0600 Subject: Trees and Fish In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: > given the fact that >many private aquaria are "pan-tropical" and contain organisms from many >geographic locations. There would be some chance of introducing a novel >disease or other undesirable organism if aquarium corals were actually >used in this way. Along these lines I would think that in a tank with cnidarians from all around the world zooxanthellae from different oceans are possibly hopping between corals, with Caribbean zooxanthallae strains potentially taking up residence in IndoPacific corals and vice versa. If this is the case, then we would risk introducing alien zooxanthellae to reefs when reintroducing these tank-raised corals to the wild. To prevent this from happening, our captive corals originating from a given area would need to be kept completely isolated from organisms collected elsewhere. Even live rock could potentially "contaminate" corals with foreign zooxanthellae, since live rock often harbors Aiptasia or Anemonia anemones and other cnidaria potentially harboring zooxanthellae. I have no idea what the effect of this sort of zooxanthellae transfer might be on reefs I'm not an expert on zooxanthellae, but I can well imagine potential undesirable consequences. Or, maybe it would be totally benign (especially if the reef had been wiped out completely otherwise). Or, who knows, maybe additional diversity of zooxanthellae with different tolerances would increase the resilience of corals in a reef? > >My question to the reef research community is what steps the aquarium >hobby could take to increase the value of our germline holdings? There >has been some discussion of this in the hobby for several years. >Initially, I was somewhat dismissive of the idea. But things have changed >substantially over the last few years, both because of the hobby's success >in captive propagation of several species, and because things seem to be >falling apart in the wild at an accelerating pace. I'm not sure can call myself part of the reef research community, but I'm a biologist who has thought a fair bit about these issues in other contexts (e.g. in the context of terrestrial plant community restoration, and in the context of breeding programs to maintain freshwater fish such as tropical killifish). An obvious necessity would be *excellent* record keeping of the sort that freshwater killifish breeders in the American Killifish Association strive for...the original collection locations of many strains of tropical killifish in the hobby are dutifully kept track of by killifish breeders. It is viewed as a sacrilege to lose track of such information or to allow strains from different locations to interbeed. Similarly, in the better-quality prairie restoration efforts in the Midwestern U.S., great care is taken to use seed stock grown from plants originally collected in the general vicinity (e.g. within 50 miles or maybe even less) of the restoration site. This complicates restoration efforts since it means that a restoration project in Illinois, for example, can't simply buy seed from a large native plant seed farm in Kansas. Separate propagation sites need to be maintained for each location. I suspect that it is too late now to figure this information out for most of the corals in the hobby at the present time. However, reef aquarists have gotten so good at growing and propagating *many* corals that the skills of aquarists could be used to help keep newly collected corals with known history (e.g. from small deliberate collections made for conservation purposes) going and to propagate them for possible reintroductions to the wild. I think that if we were to find ourselves resorting to such drastic measures, a set of strict guidelines would need to be developed that aquarists maintaining these corals would need to follow. This begs the question of course of how to ensure that the guidelines are actually followed...... The experiences of those involved in trying to maintain captive populations of Lake Victoria cichlids (most species of which are now extinct in the wild) would be relevant here. > >The coral strains that we would have to offer are almost without exception >clonal strains. So their genetic diversity would be quite low. Yes and no. Yes, the Acropora in the hobby known as "Larry Jackson's Purple-tipped Monster", for example, is going to be genetically the same in everyone's tanks. However, for many coral species I would think the clones in the hobby come from multiple importations and thus represent a sampling of the genetic diversity in the original wild population. Furthermore, assuming multiple clones are maintained (and kept careful track of), clonal reproduction has some advantages in maintaining genetic diversity in captive populations. Repeated rounds of sexual reproduction combined with a small breeding population results in a loss of genetic diversity due to the loss of heterozygosity (and the genetic drift) that is hard to avoid when there is inbreeding in a small population. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, maintains the presumably highly heterozygous genomes of wild-collected organisms indefinitely (aside from any possible effects of somatic mutations). It seems to me that the important thing in such captive coral maintenance programs would be to have multiple clones of a given species maintained in as many different aquaria as possible (to reduce the risk of total loss of a clone if a given system crashed), and to keep very close track of which clone is which and where each came from. Bill ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From christine.schoenberg at mail.uni-oldenburg.de Tue Nov 6 12:14:47 2001 From: christine.schoenberg at mail.uni-oldenburg.de (christine.schoenberg) Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 18:14:47 +0100 Subject: happy penguins Message-ID: Just a short message to you all, and a good one, too: The Fondacion Otway won their lawsuit and will be allowed to continue their good work on Chilean penguins. A big thanks to all of you who wrote supportive letters!!! Some of those emails were even mentioned in the newspapers. Isn't that a good feeling, when for a change you have some influence on environmental issues? Cheers, Christine Dr. Christine Sch?nberg, PhD Dept. of Zoosystematics & Morphology FB 7 - Biology, Geo- & Environmental Sciences Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg 26111 OLDENBURG GERMANY ph +49-441-7983373 fax +49-441-7983162 email christine.schoenberg at mail.uni-oldenburg.de when travelling: christineaway at gmx.net internet http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/zoomorphology/Whoiswho.html ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From debimack at auracom.com Tue Nov 6 14:18:52 2001 From: debimack at auracom.com (Debbie MacKenzie) Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 15:18:52 -0400 Subject: Tropical corals and temperate barnacles - a common declining theme? Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.1.20011106143049.00a4ee50@mail.auracom.com> Dear Coral-list, A large amount of scientific attention in recent years has been directed toward studying the fate of corals, tropical sessile plankton-feeding invertebrates. And disturbing negative developments affecting these populations have been well documented (...this is clearly not news to this group, but bear with me, I still think that I have something useful to offer.) Human nature being what it is, the commercial value that we perceive to be associated with healthy corals has probably been the main driver of this area of scientific research. In the temperate zones populations of sessile plankton-feeding invertebrates also exist, but they have been, and continue to be, generally considered to hold no 'value' to humans. Therefore scant attention has been paid to their fate as changes evolve in the marine ecosystem. A case in point is the common barnacle that inhabits rocky intertidal habitat in temperate zones worldwide. Detailed descriptive studies of barnacle physiology have been done, but it has proven impossible (for me, at least) to find population assessment work on barnacles that documents changes occurring over time. A bit of research confirmed my suspicions, however, that populations of barnacles exposed to the clean open ocean have been undergoing a decline (this is true, at least in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, as described in the barnacle article recently posted on my website: http://www.fisherycrisis.com/barnacles.html ). It appears to me that there may be a common theme underlying the decline of temperate barnacles and the decline of tropical corals. It struck me particularly when looking at the changes that have occurred, over the last 50 years, on a previously barnacle-dominated reef at Hall's Harbour, Nova Scotia (see pictures and description of Hall's Harbour in the "findings" section of my barnacle article: http://www.fisherycrisis.com/barnacles.html#D ). The decrease in barnacle cover and increase in macroalgal cover that has occurred at this location seemed to me to echo the accounts of similar transformations that have occurred in tropical coral reefs over recent decades. Could changes in plankton, specifically a decline in the abundance of zooplankton in oceanic waters, be what has triggered and is being reflected in these changing pictures of stationary plankton feeding populations? Declines in oceanic zooplankton abundance have been well documented in temperate zones, but I've yet to see reports of similar studies in the tropics. My previous inquiries to this list regarding trends in tropical zooplankton abundance didn't turn up any information on the topic - does it exist? The macroalgal overgrowth is interesting, especially when it occurs in clean water (where nutrient-enhancement, if it has indeed occured, has been at below detectable levels - this is true in some deteriorating tropical locations - no?) I think that it bears pointing out that macroalgae can thrive in nutrient-poor waters more successfully than can plankton (or plankton feeders). From the book "Seaweed Ecology and Physiology" by Lobban and Harrison (1994), p 203: "Extensive analysis of the chemical composition of marine plankton has revealed that the ratio relating carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus is 106 : 16 : 1 (by atoms) (i.e. C : N = 7 : 1 and N : P = 16 : 1). This is commonly referred to as the Redfield ratio. Decomposition of this organic matter occurs according to the same ratio. However, Atkinson and Smith (1983) have recently shown that benthic marine macroalgae and seagrasses are much more depleted in phosphorus and less depleted in nitrogen, relative to carbon, than are phytoplankton. The median ratio C : N : P for seaweeds is about 550 : 30 : 1 (I.e., C : N = 18 : 1 and N : P = 30 : 1). An important ramification of these observations is that the amounts of nutrients required to support a particular level of net production are much lower for macroalgae than for phytoplankton. In addition, seaweeds, on average, should be less prone to phosphorus limitation with their N : P ratio of 30 : 1 than are phytoplankton, with an N : P ratio of 16 : 1. The high C : N : P ratios in seaweeds are thought to be due to their large amounts of structural and storage carbon, which vary taxonomically. Niell (1976) found higher C : N ratios in the Phaeophyceae than in either the Chlorophyceae or Rhodophyceae. The average carbohydrate and protein contents of seaweeds have been estimated at about 80% and 15%, respectively, of the ash-free dry weight (Atkinson and Smith 1983). In contrast, the average carbohydrate and protein contents of phytoplankton are 35% and 50%, respectively (Parsons et al. 1977)." Therefore a marine ecosystem that was experiencing a steady decline in total 'nutrient inventory' might be expected to display a decline in plankton and plankton-feeders first, with an advantage then being dealt to macroalgae in areas where they previously were in competition for space with those plankton feeders. If the decline in plankton-feeders was caused by increasing levels of malnutrition, what signs and symptoms would be expected? It seems to me that the array of problems that have appeared in corals in recent decades pretty well sums up the picture that would be predicted: loss of the heavier feeders first (e.g. Acropora), weakened immune systems and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and possibly malignancies, decreased ability to withstand environmental stressors such as intense light and higher temperatures, increased likelihood of dying during the annual season of least food availability. The increasing presence of cyanobacteria in different forms (overgrowing corals, free floating blooms) would also be a predictable systemic reaction to a decreasing nitrogen-content in the system. (Regarding the disappearing barnacles, I obviously have no information on what pathologies preceded their demise. All I have is the evidence today of their absence from areas that they previously dominated...and some pretty strong clues that relative increased food availability is the major factor determining which areas continue to support barnacle growth.) I do realize that some polluted coastal areas do have elevated levels of nitrogen and other nutrients, and all sorts of consequences of that. But the major bulk of oceanic water has not been measurably affected by nutrient enhancement - and it's critical to also figure out exactly what is changing in the 'clean' seawater. I also realize that there are very significant differences between corals and barnacles. But the main features that they do have in common - being small sessile plankton-feeding animals that are gradually disappearing from (clean) marine habitat - may provide a useful clue as to "what is wrong with this picture?" Just thought I'd run this one by you... All opinions greatly appreciated, Debbie MacKenzie http://www.fisherycrisis.com/barnacles.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011106/4ed875cb/attachment.html From Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov Tue Nov 6 13:25:58 2001 From: Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov (Roger B Griffis) Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 13:25:58 -0500 Subject: U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Mting December 5 Message-ID: <200111061910.TAA65353@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> For Distribution Meeting Announcement: United States Coral Reef Task Force November 1, 2001 Dear Colleague: As acting Co-Chairs of the United States Coral Reef Task Force, Joseph E. Doddridge (Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior) and I cordially invite you to attend an important meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task Force on December 5, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the National Geographic Society main auditorium, 1145 17th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. A reception will follow from 5:00-7:00 pm. The meeting and reception are open to the public. Time will be allotted during the meeting for public comment specific to U.S. Coral Reef Task Force issues. The Task Force will consider action on a number of important issues including (1) adoption of the Task Force Charter, (2) revision of the Task Force Oversight Policy, (3) approval of a draft Strategy for implementing the U.S. National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs and (4) identification of future priorities. A complete agenda will be posted on the Task Force web site http://coralreef.gov/ prior to the meeting. With your assistance, the Task Force has played an important role in shaping U.S. efforts on coral reefs since its formation in 1998. Composed of the heads of eleven federal agencies and the Governors of seven states, territories, or commonwealths, the Task Force has helped lead U.S. efforts to address the coral reef crisis and sustainably manage the nation=92s valuable coral reef ecosystems. We encourage you t= o attend the meeting and hope your organization will continue to participate in what has been a very visible and successful effort. Please RSVP to Fatimah Taylor (PH: (301)713-3080 x214; FAX:(301)713-4263; email: Fatimah.Taylor at noaa.gov) by Friday, November 16th. There are a number of hotels within a 2 block radius. Contact Fatimah Taylor for more information. We encourage organizations to bring exhibits or brochures on their activities related to coral reefs. Exhibit viewing will be limited to the reception period. Tables will be provided for brochures or other handouts during the meeting. If you wish to set up an exhibit, please contact Fatimah Taylor to reserve exhibit space by November 16th. We look forward seeing you at the Task Force meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Roger Griffis (PH: (301-713-3155x104; email: Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov) or Susan White (PH: (202)208-6211; email: Susan_White at fws.gov). Sincerely, Scott B. Gudes Acting Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration United States Department of Commerce ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From brumba at amnh.org Tue Nov 6 14:11:20 2001 From: brumba at amnh.org (Daniel Brumbaugh) Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 11:11:20 -0800 Subject: article on the aquarium fish collecting in Brazil Message-ID: For those still following the recent thread on sustainability of reef resources, local communities, and the aquarium trade, a recent article from the NY Times (albeit on the collection of freshwater fish for aquaria collectors) will be of interest: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/05/international/americas/05BRAZ.html I've copied the text for those without good web access. November 5, 2001 COTOVELO DO XINGU JOURNAL A Collector's Item Costs Brazilian Divers Dearly By LARRY ROHTER COTOVELO DO XINGU, Brazil - The tiny fish, among the most exotic and coveted in the world, are hardly larger than a thumb. But they are worth their weight in gold on a clandestine international market. Lured by that prospect of wealth, as many as 400 divers have come to this remote stretch of river in the heart of the Amazon jungle, plunging to ever deeper and more dangerous depths, gasping for air as they surface. Their goal is to capture as many of the fish as possible for collectors' aquariums, but each success makes their prey even harder to catch. The level of activity here is especially high in early fall because the end of the Amazon dry season is fast approaching. It is easier for divers to capture the fish when water levels are so low that shoals are exposed than during the six-month rainy season, which begins in November. Jos? Luiz Freitas da Silva, 26, is among the divers who have been aggressively taking advantage of those favorable conditions. He lives in a shack on the riverbank here, growing the food that he and his family eat, but depends on the fish - black and white striped or brightly spotted members of the catfish family - for most of his income. "Every week, the dealer in Altamira sends someone out by boat to collect the fish that I have captured," he said on an early fall day, still wet from a series of dives, as he sorted his catch by the riverbank. "This week I caught a lot of the little zebras, so I expect to make about $120," a bounty by the standards of the Brazilian interior, where the minimum wage is $75 a month. The fish are now considered so valuable in this remote jungle area that they are being used as currency. At riverside general stores, for instance, proprietors will trade food, gasoline and medicine for a little zebra, the prevailing exchange rate being $4 a fish. Brazil has sought to control their sale in order to prevent the fish from being wiped out. Those efforts have only encouraged a network of black- market dealers more than happy to meet a persistent demand in the United States, Europe and Japan, no matter what the law says in Brazil. "The margin of profit in this business is obscene, as high as that of cocaine," said Hor?cio Higuchi, a tropical fish expert at the Em?lio Goeldi Museum in Bel?m, the oldest and most respected center of scientific research in the Amazon. "This is a covert, cutthroat trade that attracts the most dishonest kind of people precisely because there is so much money to be made." While divers here say that they can expect to receive no more than $5 for a particularly beautiful specimen of the most prized species - the delicate armored catfish, known in Portuguese as the "zebrinha," or "little zebra" - a single rare albino specimen can fetch as much as $600 from collectors in Japan, Dr. Higuchi said. In addition to those working this stretch of the Xingu River, the money has drawn an equal number of divers to the Tapaj?s and Trombetas rivers, two other hotbeds of the trade, said Bruno Kempner, head of a local peasant rights and environmental group. The presence of so many divers is depleting fish stocks, and the scarcity is forcing the divers to take greater chances as they descend deeper and into more remote corners. "Over the past year, I've heard of three cases of divers dying," said M?rio Borges de Almeida, a former gold miner who works as a riverboat pilot. "Almost everybody gets hearing damage as a result of their eardrums bursting from the pressure they have to deal with at the depths they are forced to dive in order to find the fish that buyers want." Because of their poverty and the remoteness of the area, almost none of the divers use scuba tanks, and many do not even have masks. The questionable legality of what they do has also prevented them from forming any kind of union, and that leaves them open to exploitation by the savvier fish dealers who control the trade. "The art of capturing the fish is painful and extremely arduous, but the divers are the ones who have to pay the highest price," said Ant?nio Melo, the regional representative of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, a government agency that is in charge of efforts to enforce protected species laws. Mr. Melo said that there was little he could do to prevent the illegal traffic. He has only five agents to monitor all wildlife in a jungle area that is more than twice the size of New Jersey. In any case, budget considerations and the lack of quick and reliable transportation limit their effectiveness and their ability to reach places where violations might be taking place. In an effort to blunt the traffic, 10 years ago the Brazilian government compiled a list limiting the legal capture and export of tropical fish to 180 species. "But that list is based on species from the Rio Negro," more than 500 miles west of here, "which are completely different from those we see in this part of the Amazon," Dr. Higuchi said. Tropical fish dealers, he said, have also learned to get around the restrictions by routinely filing false customs declarations and shipping waybills. Hoping to halt the depletion of stocks, the Brazilian fish dealers and government officials are planning to draw up new recommendations to expand the protected species list. But Dr. Higuchi argues that no conservation effort can work without public awareness and support. "There are hundreds of species that scientists haven't even described yet," he said. "But here in the state of Par?, people are not very interested. It's ironic, but if they collect fish at all, they prefer Asian species, like the goldfish." Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company -- NOTE: From 10/25-11/28/01, I'll be in reachable in California by email or phone at (805) 528-7401, (646) 522-6239 (cell). Dan Brumbaugh, Ph.D. Marine Program Manager American Museum of Natural History / Biodiversity Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024-5192 off: (212) 496-3494 fax: (212) 769-5292, -5277 brumba at amnh.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From samhouri at ucla.edu Tue Nov 6 01:44:06 2001 From: samhouri at ucla.edu (Jameal F. Samhouri) Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 20:44:06 -1000 Subject: ichthyoplankton Message-ID: <200111061826.SAA65367@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> hello. which, if any, commercially valuable caribbean fish families/species eat enough ichthyoplankton (larvae, eggs, etc.) to consider this food source a significant portion of their diet? any ideas on references? thank you, jameal Jameal F. Samhouri Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology, and Evolution University of California, Los Angeles 621 Charles E. Young Drive South P.O. Box 951606 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606 Phone: 310.206.6514 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From opolak at post.tau.ac.il Wed Nov 7 05:35:33 2001 From: opolak at post.tau.ac.il (omer polak) Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 12:35:33 +0200 Subject: zoanthid question Message-ID: <200111071235.MAA67124@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Hi all; My name is Omer and I am working on the ecology of a zoanthid from the = Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat). I believe it to be Palythoa tuberculosa, but I'm = not sure. Do any of you know of a taxonomist who would be willing to = identify specimens sent to them? I am attaching a photograph of the = typical colony morph.=20 Thank you in advance, Omer Polak Tel Aviv University, Department of Zoology. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jadward at ibl.bm Tue Nov 6 09:51:42 2001 From: jadward at ibl.bm (Jack Ward) Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 10:51:42 -0400 Subject: aquarium concerns References: Message-ID: <000201c16706$847e02c0$c4e6acc7@ibl.bm> Just as a point of interest, so far this year there have been 2 cases of Pacific Lionfish being found at Bermuda. Tropical marine fish are not legally imported into Bermuda and it is extremely unlikely that these were released locally. The logical conclusion is that there is a breeding population somewhere upstream. As Bermuda supports the most isolated tropical reef system in the Western Atlantic it appears as though the larvae of this exotic species are widely distributed. I understand that these fish are also being found in the wild in the Carolinas and Florida, probably elsewhere in the Atlantic. Cheers, Jack Ward Bermuda Aquarium , Museum and Zoo ----- Original Message ----- From: John McManus To: Charles Delbeek Cc: Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 4:07 PM Subject: RE: aquarium concerns > Hi Charles, > > Yes, I do find it fascinating that coral reefs seem to have resisted > invasion from aquarium fish so far. Your examples from Hawaii are very > helpful in that regard. > > My impression is that healthy coral reefs, at least, are particularly > unhealthy for anything out of place. Even a fish frightened by a diver will > often be devoured in a matter of seconds for being slightly more vulnerable > to a barracuda or other predator than normal. This may be less true in > overfished reef areas. There may be a high critical threshold in starting a > new population -- which has implications in particular for the resilience of > Hawaiian reefs to local extinctions. I'm quite worried about mass culture > facilities in out-of-normal-range locations providing the critical > thresholds during hurricanes. Thus, the recent discovery of exotic coral > facilities in the Caribbean is worrying. Then there is always the problem of > "low probability over long periods of time and large numbers of trials". > However, I would opt for the greatest immediate concern being put on mass > culture and holding facilities in unnatural locations. > > Cheers! > > John > > _________________________________________________________ > > John W. McManus, PhD > Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) > Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) > University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway > Miami, Florida 33149. > jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > Tel. (305) 361-4814 > Fax (305) 361-4600 > www.ncoremiami.org > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Charles Delbeek [mailto:delbeek at waquarium.org] > Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 7:10 PM > To: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Subject: Re: aquarium concerns > > > At 12:20 PM 11/2/2001 -0500, you wrote: > > >Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from > >PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the > >Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways > >other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should > >seek to limit all sources. > > John: Not to say your point is without merit but in Hawaii tropical marine > fish have been imported into this state for decades, and there have been > numerous releases over that time span, however, there has not been a single > incident of any aquarium fish forming a reproducing population here that I > am aware of. I would hazard to guess that the same may also occur in > Florida. Yes you do occasionally see sightings of Centropyge flavissimus in > Kaneohe Bay and elsewhere around Oahu and the odd damsel here and there, > but that's about it. Where there has been catastrophic changes have been > when the state government, despite advise from scientific consultants > released fishes here such as the bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira, and > the peacock grouper, Cephalopholis argus, the snapper in particular has > been implicated in the decline of local snapper species. There have also > been attempts in the last few decades to seed reefs with giant clams and > some corals from the south Pacific, none of which survived. > > In contrast, the freshwater streams and lakes on several of the islands are > almost completely dominated by aquarium fishes such as cichlids and > livebearers. In this case, the lack of any competition in the local > freshwaters probably played a significant role. > > Aloha! > > J. Charles Delbeek > Aquarium Biologist > Waikiki Aquarium > 2777 Kalakaua Ave. > Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 > 808-923-9741 > 808-923-1771 FAX > > > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Rcheck at ucla.edu Tue Nov 6 16:55:06 2001 From: Rcheck at ucla.edu (Reef Check Headquarters) Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 13:55:06 -0800 Subject: Job Opening for coral reef fisheries scientist Message-ID: Vacancy ? Field-based Coral Reef Fisheries Scientist The Los Angeles-based Reef Check Foundation is seeking to hire a mid-level coral reef fisheries scientist (Master?s Degree or higher) to carry out field monitoring of both fin-fish and invertebrates targeted by the marine aquarium trade to start as soon as possible. The primary task will be to gather population data on coral reef fish and invertebrates, and to test a new stock assessment monitoring protocol (MAQTRAC) specially designed for marine aquarium trade organisms. The scientist will be based almost entirely in the field and will carry out the work primarily in the Philippines, Indonesia and Fiji. The scientist will be supported by a field network of Reef Check, Marine Aquarium Council and IMA scientists and managers and will collaborate with other partners including WWF and US NOAA. The position is funded for one year with possibility of renewal for a longer period. Applicants should have: 1) Excellent species-level taxonomic skills with Indo-pacific coral reef fish and a good knowledge of coral reef invertebrate taxonomy; 2) At least two years experience field monitoring coral reef fish using underwater visual census methods in the Indo-pacific region; 3) Solid understanding of and ability to work with multivariate statistics and standard fisheries models including surplus production and yield-per-recruit models; 4) Ability to work independently and for long periods in remote locations where English is not commonly spoken; 5) Excellent health and be willing to spend at least 50% of the work days underwater; 6) Fluency in spoken English and demonstrated ability to write high quality technical reports; 7) A valid passport and ability to travel to and from the three target countries. 8) Certified diver (200+ dives). For the right person, this will be a dream position to work in exotic locations and to carry out ground-breaking, much-needed research on a highly controversial fishery. This is an opportunity to develop the basic science needed to determine whether it is possible to sustainably manage the collection of coral reef fish and invertebrates for the marine aquarium trade. Applicants should send their CV, a list of three references (with email address and telephone numbers), previous salary history and expected salary for this position in US$, and a cover letter providing further details about how the applicant?s experience matches the requirements to Program Manager Jennifer Liebeler at Tel: (1) 310-794-4985 Fax: (1) 310-825-0758. The position will be open until filled and is open to citizens of any country. The applicant should be prepared to start field work by January 1, 2002 at the latest. Jennifer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jennifer Liebeler Program Manager Reef Check Headquarters 1362 Hershey Hall 149607 University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095-1496 USA Office Tel: 310-794-4985 Fax: 310-825-0758 Liebeler at ucla.edu www.ReefCheck.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From joshua at nova.edu Tue Nov 6 18:27:56 2001 From: joshua at nova.edu (Joshua Feingold) Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 17:27:56 -0600 Subject: aquarium concerns Message-ID: <200111062310.XAA66152@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Hi John & Coral List Serve Members, Here's a Caribbean data point. On a recent dive (Sept '01) I observed a large adult Pomacanthus maculosus (a Red Sea and W. Indian Ocean native) on a shipwreck off Fort Lauderdale. In the same general locale Paul Human mentioned to me that he has observed Pomacanthus semicirculatus (Indo-W. Pacific and Indian Ocean native). Batfish were removed from KLNMS earlier (last year?). It seems that we have the "smoking gun" of non-native species being released, or that have escaped, into the wild. So, even though I don't know of any culture facilities along our coast here, there are species introductions occurring that may be associated with the aquarium trade. Cheers, Joshua Feingold National Coral Reef Institute Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center At 03:07 PM 11/05/2001 -0500, John McManus wrote: >Hi Charles, > >Yes, I do find it fascinating that coral reefs seem to have resisted >invasion from aquarium fish so far. Your examples from Hawaii are very >helpful in that regard. > >My impression is that healthy coral reefs, at least, are particularly >unhealthy for anything out of place. Even a fish frightened by a diver will >often be devoured in a matter of seconds for being slightly more vulnerable >to a barracuda or other predator than normal. This may be less true in >overfished reef areas. There may be a high critical threshold in starting a >new population -- which has implications in particular for the resilience of >Hawaiian reefs to local extinctions. I'm quite worried about mass culture >facilities in out-of-normal-range locations providing the critical >thresholds during hurricanes. Thus, the recent discovery of exotic coral >facilities in the Caribbean is worrying. Then there is always the problem of >"low probability over long periods of time and large numbers of trials". >However, I would opt for the greatest immediate concern being put on mass >culture and holding facilities in unnatural locations. > >Cheers! > >John > >_________________________________________________________ > >John W. McManus, PhD >Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) >Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) >University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway >Miami, Florida 33149. >jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu >Tel. (305) 361-4814 >Fax (305) 361-4600 >www.ncoremiami.org > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Charles Delbeek [mailto:delbeek at waquarium.org] >Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 7:10 PM >To: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu >Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Subject: Re: aquarium concerns > > >At 12:20 PM 11/2/2001 -0500, you wrote: > > >Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from > >PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the > >Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways > >other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should > >seek to limit all sources. > >John: Not to say your point is without merit but in Hawaii tropical marine >fish have been imported into this state for decades, and there have been >numerous releases over that time span, however, there has not been a single >incident of any aquarium fish forming a reproducing population here that I >am aware of. I would hazard to guess that the same may also occur in >Florida. Yes you do occasionally see sightings of Centropyge flavissimus in >Kaneohe Bay and elsewhere around Oahu and the odd damsel here and there, >but that's about it. Where there has been catastrophic changes have been >when the state government, despite advise from scientific consultants >released fishes here such as the bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira, and >the peacock grouper, Cephalopholis argus, the snapper in particular has >been implicated in the decline of local snapper species. There have also >been attempts in the last few decades to seed reefs with giant clams and >some corals from the south Pacific, none of which survived. > >In contrast, the freshwater streams and lakes on several of the islands are >almost completely dominated by aquarium fishes such as cichlids and >livebearers. In this case, the lack of any competition in the local >freshwaters probably played a significant role. > >Aloha! > >J. Charles Delbeek >Aquarium Biologist >Waikiki Aquarium >2777 Kalakaua Ave. >Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 >808-923-9741 >808-923-1771 FAX > > > > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From victor.gomelyuk at PLMBAY.PWCNT.NT.GOV.AU Tue Nov 6 18:13:06 2001 From: victor.gomelyuk at PLMBAY.PWCNT.NT.GOV.AU (Gomelyuk, Victor) Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 08:43:06 +0930 Subject: No subject Message-ID: Debbie MacKenzie wrote: "In the temperate zones populations of sessile plankton-feeding invertebrates also exist, but they have been, and continue to be, generally considered to hold no 'value' to humans." Poor mussels, oysters and miserable scallops... Good, enthusiastic start and... Here we go again. Corals are starving! Victor Gomekyuk Dr Victor E. Gomelyuk Marine Scientist Cobourg Marine Park PO Box 496 PALMERSTON NT 0831 AUSTRALIA phone 61 (08) 8979 0244 FAX 61 (08) 8979 0246 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From billy.causey at noaa.gov Wed Nov 7 09:03:47 2001 From: billy.causey at noaa.gov (Billy Causey) Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 09:03:47 -0500 Subject: aquarium concerns References: <200111062310.XAA66152@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: <3BE93F42.34F5F043@noaa.gov> Josh, Thank you for the observations. Yes, we removed 2 adult Batfish in a cooperative effort with New England Aquarium and Dynasty Marine in Marathon. The FKNMS mostly observed the quick capture of the 2 fish. There was a third adult Batfish but it escaped capture and remains at Molasses Reef. Although these fish had been at Molasses for some time (years) we felt the need to remove these exotics to Caribbean Reefs. The two fish are now main attractions in the main aquarium at the New England Aquarium serving as "poster fish" for the cause of the woes of "exotic introductions." It is prohibited to release any exotics in the waters of the FKNMS and we would like to get the word out that exotics should not be released in the wild , regardless if it is a Sanctuary or not. While it may seem like a minor issue compared to everything else that is affecting the health of coral reef communities, it is one thing we can affect, hopefully through education. Thanks for the opportunity to put this work out and thanks to Forrest Young of Dynasty Marine and Holly Bourbon of the New England Aquarium for their partnership and initiative on this project. Cheers, Billy Joshua Feingold wrote: > Hi John & Coral List Serve Members, > > Here's a Caribbean data point. > > On a recent dive (Sept '01) I observed a large adult Pomacanthus maculosus > (a Red Sea and W. Indian Ocean native) on a shipwreck off Fort Lauderdale. > In the same general locale Paul Human mentioned to me that he has observed > Pomacanthus semicirculatus (Indo-W. Pacific and Indian Ocean native). > Batfish were removed from KLNMS earlier (last year?). It seems that we have > the "smoking gun" of non-native species being released, or that have > escaped, into the wild. > > So, even though I don't know of any culture facilities along our coast > here, there are species introductions occurring that may be associated with > the aquarium trade. > > Cheers, > > Joshua Feingold > National Coral Reef Institute > Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center > > At 03:07 PM 11/05/2001 -0500, John McManus wrote: > >Hi Charles, > > > >Yes, I do find it fascinating that coral reefs seem to have resisted > >invasion from aquarium fish so far. Your examples from Hawaii are very > >helpful in that regard. > > > >My impression is that healthy coral reefs, at least, are particularly > >unhealthy for anything out of place. Even a fish frightened by a diver will > >often be devoured in a matter of seconds for being slightly more vulnerable > >to a barracuda or other predator than normal. This may be less true in > >overfished reef areas. There may be a high critical threshold in starting a > >new population -- which has implications in particular for the resilience of > >Hawaiian reefs to local extinctions. I'm quite worried about mass culture > >facilities in out-of-normal-range locations providing the critical > >thresholds during hurricanes. Thus, the recent discovery of exotic coral > >facilities in the Caribbean is worrying. Then there is always the problem of > >"low probability over long periods of time and large numbers of trials". > >However, I would opt for the greatest immediate concern being put on mass > >culture and holding facilities in unnatural locations. > > > >Cheers! > > > >John > > > >_________________________________________________________ > > > >John W. McManus, PhD > >Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) > >Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) > >University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway > >Miami, Florida 33149. > >jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > >Tel. (305) 361-4814 > >Fax (305) 361-4600 > >www.ncoremiami.org > > > > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: Charles Delbeek [mailto:delbeek at waquarium.org] > >Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 7:10 PM > >To: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > >Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > >Subject: Re: aquarium concerns > > > > > >At 12:20 PM 11/2/2001 -0500, you wrote: > > > > >Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from > > >PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the > > >Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways > > >other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should > > >seek to limit all sources. > > > >John: Not to say your point is without merit but in Hawaii tropical marine > >fish have been imported into this state for decades, and there have been > >numerous releases over that time span, however, there has not been a single > >incident of any aquarium fish forming a reproducing population here that I > >am aware of. I would hazard to guess that the same may also occur in > >Florida. Yes you do occasionally see sightings of Centropyge flavissimus in > >Kaneohe Bay and elsewhere around Oahu and the odd damsel here and there, > >but that's about it. Where there has been catastrophic changes have been > >when the state government, despite advise from scientific consultants > >released fishes here such as the bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira, and > >the peacock grouper, Cephalopholis argus, the snapper in particular has > >been implicated in the decline of local snapper species. There have also > >been attempts in the last few decades to seed reefs with giant clams and > >some corals from the south Pacific, none of which survived. > > > >In contrast, the freshwater streams and lakes on several of the islands are > >almost completely dominated by aquarium fishes such as cichlids and > >livebearers. In this case, the lack of any competition in the local > >freshwaters probably played a significant role. > > > >Aloha! > > > >J. Charles Delbeek > >Aquarium Biologist > >Waikiki Aquarium > >2777 Kalakaua Ave. > >Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 > >808-923-9741 > >808-923-1771 FAX > > > > > > > > > >~~~~~~~ > >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. -- Billy D. Causey, Superintendent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary PO Box 500368 Marathon, FL 33050 (305) 743-2437 phone (305) 743-2357 Fax billy.causey at noaa.gov http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From szmanta at uncwil.edu Wed Nov 7 09:10:25 2001 From: szmanta at uncwil.edu (Alina M. Szmant) Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 09:10:25 -0500 Subject: aquarium concerns In-Reply-To: <200111062310.XAA66152@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011107090917.00acbec0@pop.uncwil.edu> Two batfish were removed from Molasses reef I am but, but there is still one Pacific batfish remaining on French reef in Key Largo FL because I photographed it late this summer. Alina Szmant At 05:27 PM 11/06/2001 -0600, Joshua Feingold wrote: >Hi John & Coral List Serve Members, > >Here's a Caribbean data point. > >On a recent dive (Sept '01) I observed a large adult Pomacanthus maculosus >(a Red Sea and W. Indian Ocean native) on a shipwreck off Fort Lauderdale. >In the same general locale Paul Human mentioned to me that he has observed >Pomacanthus semicirculatus (Indo-W. Pacific and Indian Ocean native). >Batfish were removed from KLNMS earlier (last year?). It seems that we have >the "smoking gun" of non-native species being released, or that have >escaped, into the wild. > >So, even though I don't know of any culture facilities along our coast >here, there are species introductions occurring that may be associated with >the aquarium trade. > >Cheers, > >Joshua Feingold >National Coral Reef Institute >Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center > >At 03:07 PM 11/05/2001 -0500, John McManus wrote: > >Hi Charles, > > > >Yes, I do find it fascinating that coral reefs seem to have resisted > >invasion from aquarium fish so far. Your examples from Hawaii are very > >helpful in that regard. > > > >My impression is that healthy coral reefs, at least, are particularly > >unhealthy for anything out of place. Even a fish frightened by a diver will > >often be devoured in a matter of seconds for being slightly more vulnerable > >to a barracuda or other predator than normal. This may be less true in > >overfished reef areas. There may be a high critical threshold in starting a > >new population -- which has implications in particular for the resilience of > >Hawaiian reefs to local extinctions. I'm quite worried about mass culture > >facilities in out-of-normal-range locations providing the critical > >thresholds during hurricanes. Thus, the recent discovery of exotic coral > >facilities in the Caribbean is worrying. Then there is always the problem of > >"low probability over long periods of time and large numbers of trials". > >However, I would opt for the greatest immediate concern being put on mass > >culture and holding facilities in unnatural locations. > > > >Cheers! > > > >John > > > >_________________________________________________________ > > > >John W. McManus, PhD > >Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) > >Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) > >University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway > >Miami, Florida 33149. > >jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > >Tel. (305) 361-4814 > >Fax (305) 361-4600 > >www.ncoremiami.org > > > > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: Charles Delbeek [mailto:delbeek at waquarium.org] > >Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 7:10 PM > >To: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > >Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > >Subject: Re: aquarium concerns > > > > > >At 12:20 PM 11/2/2001 -0500, you wrote: > > > > >Speaking of invasive species, here is an excerpt of today's news from > > >PFP SeaSpan ~~ The bi-monthly electronic newsletter of the > > >Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Note that there are many ways > > >other than through aquaria that species are introduced. I think we should > > >seek to limit all sources. > > > >John: Not to say your point is without merit but in Hawaii tropical marine > >fish have been imported into this state for decades, and there have been > >numerous releases over that time span, however, there has not been a single > >incident of any aquarium fish forming a reproducing population here that I > >am aware of. I would hazard to guess that the same may also occur in > >Florida. Yes you do occasionally see sightings of Centropyge flavissimus in > >Kaneohe Bay and elsewhere around Oahu and the odd damsel here and there, > >but that's about it. Where there has been catastrophic changes have been > >when the state government, despite advise from scientific consultants > >released fishes here such as the bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira, and > >the peacock grouper, Cephalopholis argus, the snapper in particular has > >been implicated in the decline of local snapper species. There have also > >been attempts in the last few decades to seed reefs with giant clams and > >some corals from the south Pacific, none of which survived. > > > >In contrast, the freshwater streams and lakes on several of the islands are > >almost completely dominated by aquarium fishes such as cichlids and > >livebearers. In this case, the lack of any competition in the local > >freshwaters probably played a significant role. > > > >Aloha! > > > >J. Charles Delbeek > >Aquarium Biologist > >Waikiki Aquarium > >2777 Kalakaua Ave. > >Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 > >808-923-9741 > >808-923-1771 FAX > > > > > > > > > >~~~~~~~ > >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Richard_Curry at nps.gov Wed Nov 7 11:58:16 2001 From: Richard_Curry at nps.gov (Richard_Curry at nps.gov) Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 11:58:16 -0500 Subject: Exotic species concerns Message-ID: <200111071726.RAA68293@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Billy and everyone else: I applaud the action take by Billy and his staff and agree that we need to keep an eye out for marine exotics and remove them when found. Like the Sanctuary, the release of non-natives, or anything else for that matter, is not allowed in a National Park Service area. Although we know it is happening, we have no idea just how many aquarist are releasing rather than destroying their fish when, for what ever reason, they breakdown their aquaria. Unfortunately, exotics in the marine environment have not received the level of interest and support that they have in terrestrial environments and we, as managers and stewards of the Florida reef system need to work at changing that. Even something as "trivial" as releasing ballast water can have a devastating consequence on our reefs. Richard Curry Science Coordinator Biscayne National Park ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From info at reefresearch.org Thu Nov 8 07:16:11 2001 From: info at reefresearch.org (Coral Reef) Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 08:16:11 -0400 Subject: Winter Session Coral Reef Course Message-ID: <000d01c1684f$28e0a2c0$80e3fea9@vaio> Please Announce the Following Winter Session Course Topics in Marine and Coastal Sciences: Coral Reefs (3 credits) Rutgers Winter Session January 3-12, 2002 Little Cayman For More Information & Updates Contact: info at reefresearch.org or see the Rutgers website http://www.wintersession.rutgersonline.net/windex.real?Action=Catalog&sem=42 72&node=62964&course=423508 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From sperkol at post.tau.ac.il Thu Nov 8 05:10:26 2001 From: sperkol at post.tau.ac.il (Shimrit Perkol) Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 12:10:26 +0200 Subject: Coral cultivation Message-ID: <002801c1683d$96528a10$7b2b4284@yehudab5> Hello! My name is Shimrit Perkol, I am a PhD student in Tel-Aviv University, Israel. I am interested to know if there are any scientific work published, or in progress, regarding coral cultivation, particularly of larval stages. I?d appreciate any references regarding the subject. Cheers! Shimrit Perkol Department of zoology Tel - Aviv University Tel - Aviv, Israel -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011108/3ef3150f/attachment.html From Mark_Brandenburg at millerlegg.com Thu Nov 8 08:31:32 2001 From: Mark_Brandenburg at millerlegg.com (Mark_Brandenburg at millerlegg.com) Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 08:31:32 -0500 Subject: Coral cultivation Message-ID: <85256AFE.0049A584.00@mileg.millerlegg.com> Shimrit, The following reference should provide you with some basic information as well as a lengthy citation list. Fadlallah, Y.H. 1983. Sexual reproduction, development and larval biology in Scleractinian corals ? a review. Coral Reefs 2: 129-150 Good luck, Mark E. Brandenburg, M.S., C.E. Biologist Miller Legg & Associates, Inc. 1800 N. Douglas Road, Suite 200 Pembroke Pines, FL 33024-3200 954-436-7000 fax 954-436-8664 mbrandenburg at millerlegg.com "Shimrit Perkol" on 11/08/2001 05:10:26 AM Hello! My name is Shimrit Perkol, I am a PhD student in Tel-Aviv University, Israel. I am interested to know if there are any scientific work published, or in progress, regarding coral cultivation, particularly of larval stages. I?d appreciate any references regarding the subject. Cheers! Shimrit Perkol Department of zoology Tel - Aviv University Tel - Aviv, Israel ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jsperoni at enviroweb.org Thu Nov 8 12:40:14 2001 From: jsperoni at enviroweb.org (=?iso-8859-1?Q?=22Jos=E9_A=2E_Speroni=22?=) Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 14:40:14 -0300 Subject: Sea Turtles Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20011108143714.00a59a00@freenet.enviroweb.org> ACTION ALERT! November 8, 2001 SPEAK OUT FOR STRONGER SEA TURTLE PROTECTION. Folks, With Congress preoccupied over national security and wrapping up the FY'02 spending bills, much of the "action" has now shifted to the less visible but vitally important issues surrounding how protections for imperiled species are implemented. A case in point are newly proposed regulations to expand the size of sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawling nets. Marine biologists say that the trawling nets are a big reason sea turtles are endangered, because once the turtles get caught in the nets they cannot surface and are drown before the nets are hauled in. About a decade ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service began requiring shrimpers to install TEDs and they are credited with significantly helping to reverse the decline of critically endangered species such as Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. Unfortunately, the TEDs currently in use are too small for large mature turtles, especially loggerheads and leatherbacks. The shrimping industry, however, is determined to fight these new regulations saying that the larger TEDs would hurt their profit margins by allowing too many shrimp to escape. Although the NMFS estimates that shrimp loss will only be 1% to 3%, the industry has a powerful ally in Louisiana Representative Billy Tauzin, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In a Nola.com, AP story 11/7, Rep. Tauzin announced that he is "ready to fight proposals to make shrimpers install larger turtle excluder devices in their nets." Its now up to us to give the NMFS support it needs to resist what should be some intense political pressure to abandon these new sea turtle protective measures. Brock is currently out of town but if was here, I'm sure he would be urging you to take a few minutes and speak out for the sea turtles because if we don't who will? Thanks! Ed Lytwak ESC communications director ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the Endangered Species Coalition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ACTION ALERT provided by Oceana Below is the sign on and sample comment letter from Oceana regarding increased protection of endangered and threatened sea turtles from shrimp fishing nets. Oceana would like to encourage ESC members both to sign on to our letter as well as to use the letter as a template to send in their own comments to NMFS. The letter basically supports NMFS' proposed rule to enlarge turtle excluder device openings to help large sea turtles escape from shrimp trawl nets. However, the letter points out several problems with the rule: 1) The regulations propose delaying implementation of the sea turtle protection measures for an entire year after the final rule goes into effect-this would result in the killing of thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles; 2) The sea turtle protection measures for try nets (otter trawl nets btw 12 and 16 ft. wide that shrimpers use to test for shrimp abundance in certain areas), which often capture and drown sea turtles, are too weak; 3) The impact of recreational shrimp trawl fisheries on sea turtles should be assessed and measures to prevent sea turtles mortality during recreational fishing operations, which use gear similar to try nets, should be clarified; and 4) Increased funding of enforcement and monitoring measures should accompany enactment of these regulations. The DEADLINE to send comments in to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16th. For organizations interested in SIGNING ON, Oceana will need to know by Thursday, Nov. 15th C.O.B. Folks should respond directly to Tanya Dobrzynski, Oceana Marine Ecosystems Specialist: ( td at oceana.org ) and include their name, title, and organization. Organizations are strongly encouraged both to sign on to our letter as well as to use our letter as a template to send in their own comments. We really need to make a strong showing of support because we have learned that the Gulf Congressional delegation (i.e., Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA)) plans to obstruct issuance of these regulations. In the past, Mr. Tauzin has been responsible for numerous assaults on efforts to protect sea turtles from shrimp fishing. We hope your organization will help join in this fight. Thanks, Tanya Dobrzynski Oceana; 2501 M Street, NW, Suite 300; Washington, D.C. 20037-1311 ph 202-833-3900; fax 202-833-2070; td at oceana.org . Sign On and Sample Comment Letter: November 7, 2001 Mr. Phil Williams; Chief, Endangered Species Division; Office of Protected Resources; National Marine Fisheries Service; 1315 East-West Highway; Silver Spring, MD 20910. Re: Proposed rule amending regulations to protect sea turtles (66 Fed. Reg. 50148). Dear Mr. Williams: The undersigned organizations oppose destructive fishing practices, which result in the incidental capture or injury of non-target species, overfishing, or damage to ocean habitats. Therefore, we appreciate this opportunity to comment on the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) proposed rule to enlarge turtle excluder device (TED) openings and impose other measures to prevent the mortality of threatened and endangered sea turtles in the process of shrimp fishing operations (66 Fed. Reg. 50148, October 2, 2001). At a time when all six species of sea turtle are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the proposed regulations take a crucial step toward ensuring that shrimp fisheries do not further jeopardize the continued existence of these magnificent marine animals. While we support enlarging TED openings to protect large sea turtles from shrimp nets and numerous other proposed changes to reduce sea turtle mortality, we urge NMFS to strengthen the proposed rule and other sea turtle mortality reduction efforts in the following key areas. First, we oppose the proposal to delay implementation of the regulations until one full year after publication of the final rule to minimize adverse socioeconomic effects. It is unlawful for NMFS to imperil endangered and threatened sea turtles to alleviate short-term economic discomfort. Furthermore, such a delay in implementation would result in the killing of thousands of sea turtles, and would allow NMFS to violate its own standard that TEDs must be at least 97 percent effective to be approved. Therefore, we urge NMFS to implement these new TED requirements as swiftly as possible. Second, while we applaud NMFS' acknowledgement of the impacts of try nets on sea turtles, we are concerned about the lack of enforceability and effectiveness of the proposed tow time restrictions, and urge NMFS to adopt more stringent measures to prevent sea turtle mortality during the deployment of this gear. In the case of bait shrimpers, NMFS acknowledged that "tow time restrictions are extremely difficult to enforce and have only been authorized in limited cases where particular fishing practices limit the length of tows." (66 Fed. Reg. 50150.) The lack of enforceability, and therefore effectiveness, of tow time restrictions led NMFS to propose more stringent restrictions on bait shrimpers, a measure we strongly support. We fail to understand why tow time restrictions would be any more enforceable or effective at reducing sea turtle mortality from shrimp fishing try nets than they are when applied to bait shrimpers. We urge NMFS to revisit and strengthen restrictions to prevent sea turtle mortality in the course of try net operations. Third, we urge NMFS to investigate the impact of recreational shrimping on sea turtles. The Environmental Assessment (EA) accompanying the proposed rule indicates that a recreational shrimp trawl fishery occurs seasonally in the inside waters of the Gulf states. The EA indicates that recreational trawl size may reach 16 feet in width and estimates the recreational shrimp trawl fleet at 8,000 boats. At 16 feet, recreational trawls are the same size as try nets, which the regulations propose to regulate because they are known to capture and kill sea turtles. Yet, it is unclear what, if any, restrictions apply to recreational shrimpers. We urge NMFS to conduct a more rigorous assessment of the impacts of recreational trawlers on sea turtles and to clarify what management measures are in effect to ensure that recreational shrimp trawling does not contribute to sea turtle mortality. Finally, we urge NMFS to direct adequate funding toward ensuring that shrimpers comply with these regulations and monitoring the effectiveness of the proposed measures. If properly monitored and enforced, these regulations have the ability to save thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles from being drowned in shrimp nets. To this end, NMFS should establish a mandatory observer program to cover a representative sample of shrimp vessels in the southeast region. Furthermore, NMFS should allocate increased funds to establish additional Protected Resources Enforcement Teams and to carry out other enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the new TED regulations in the vast shrimp fishery of the southeast region. We thank you for your consideration of our comments. We look forward to working with you in the future to establish safe waters for sea turtles and to end other destructive fishing practices that result in excessive bycatch, overfishing, or habitat degradation. Sincerely, Oceana, Tanya Dobrzynski, Marine Ecosystems Specialist. Endangered Species Coalition, Brock Evans, Executive Director. Jos? A. Speroni, DVM E-mail: jsperoni at enviroweb.org C.E.I.H. ar784 at lafn.org C.C. 18 cj313 at ncf.ca (7100) Dolores ICQ: 41190790 Buenos Aires Phone: +54(2245)44-2350 REP?BLICA ARGENTINA Fax: +54(2245)44-0625 *********************************************************************** The CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS E INVESTIGACIONES HERPETOLOGICAS gratefully acknowledges the support received from: Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag (Germany), Mantella Publishing (UK) Research Information Systems, Inc. (USA), Reptilia (Spain) Clark Development Company, Inc. (USA), FTP Software, Inc. (USA) Key Tronic Corporation (USA), Colorado Memory Systems, Inc. (USA) *********************************************************************** "Many feel that Gary Kildall, the inventor, should have received the dollars and kudos that went to Bill Gates, the merchandiser." CS, Nov. 1994 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From leroy at garf.org Thu Nov 8 23:54:00 2001 From: leroy at garf.org ((GARF) LeRoy & Sally Jo Headlee) Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 21:54:00 -0700 Subject: Thank you for the help Message-ID: >Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 10:15:22 -0800 (PST) >From: Dustin Wing >Subject: Thank you for the help >To: Leroy at garf.org > >LeRoy: >I wrote to you about a week ago looking for >information concerning mariculture projects in the >Pacific that Peace Corps volunteers may be involved >in. You placed my questions out and I have received >many very good leads and a great deal of information >concerning possibilities. Thank you so much for the >help. It was exactly what I was looking for and I >don't know how I could have made the contacts with out >you. > >I have really been enjoying the virtual tour of the >GARF facilities. It is interesting to see the >location where you and Sally raise so many beautiful >animals. I also really enjoy the screen saver >backgrounds and people at work stop by frequently to >see what new picture that I have on my desktop. > >Thank you again for the help. > >Sincerely, >Dustin Wing LeRoy Headlee Director of Research Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation http://www.garf.org 800-600-6163 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From van_treeck at uni-essen.de Fri Nov 9 04:46:42 2001 From: van_treeck at uni-essen.de (Peter van Treeck) Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2001 10:46:42 +0100 Subject: identification of juvenile corals Message-ID: <3BEBA602.71BBFF3C@uni-essen.de> Hi all, some month ago ther has been an announcement of a book on identification of juvenile corals. I lost the reference. Can anybody help me out? Thanks a lot Peter ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From eshinn at usgs.gov Fri Nov 9 13:14:46 2001 From: eshinn at usgs.gov (Gene Shinn) Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 13:14:46 -0500 Subject: Aspergillus sydowii Message-ID: For more on Aspergillus and sea fan disease see mini movie at: http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/dust-documentary.html Best Wishes, Gene ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ | E. A. Shinn email eshinn at usgs.gov USGS Center for Coastal Geology | 600 4th St. South | voice (727) 803-8747 x3030 St.Petersburg, FL 33701 | fax (727) 803-2032 ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From christy at reef.org Sun Nov 11 10:42:36 2001 From: christy at reef.org (Christy Semmens) Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 07:42:36 -0800 Subject: Fellowships References: Message-ID: <3BEE9C6C.1E9FE14C@reef.org> HI love, the predoctoral fellowship (second one listed) is available after you have advanced to candidacy. info is at http://www.si.edu/ofg/infotoapply.htm love, me Harilaos Lessios wrote: > > > The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), a division of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in the Republic of Panama, offers fellowships for research based at its facilities. Disciplines include ecology, anthropology, paleontology, evolution, systematics, behavior and physiology of tropical plants and animals. > > * Earl S. Tupper 3-year postdoctoral fellowship (deadline: Jan15). Applications should include detailed research proposal with budget, curriculum vitae, 2 letters of reference, names and telephone numbers of 3 additional references and reprints of most important papers. Applicants should consult with STRI scientists who will serve as advisor before submitting final application. Annual stipend up to $30,000 with yearly travel and research allotments. Proposals that include comparative research in other tropical countries will be considered. Send inquiries and application to STRI. > > * Predoctoral, postdoctoral, senior postdoctoral (up to 1 year) and 10-week fellowships are available through the Smithsonian's Office of Fellowships & Grants, Washington, DC. (deadline: Jan15). For information: OFG, 750 9th Street NW, Suite 9300, Washington DC 20560-0902, siofg at ofg.si.edu, www.si.edu/research+study. > > * Three-month fellowships (deadline: Feb15, May15, Aug15 and Nov15) thru STRI. For information: STRI/Office of Education, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948, from the US or Apartado 2072, Balboa, Panama from Latin America, fellows at tivoli.si.edu or www.stri.org > > Awards are based upon merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or condition of handicap of the applicant. > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. -- -------------- Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D. Scientific Coordinator Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) www.reef.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From christy at reef.org Sun Nov 11 11:39:00 2001 From: christy at reef.org (Christy Semmens) Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 08:39:00 -0800 Subject: fellowships References: <3BEE9C6C.1E9FE14C@reef.org> Message-ID: <3BEEA9A4.34217685@reef.org> Dear Coral-list, Sorry for my earlier post. My fingers got away from me and I accidentally hit reply instead of forward. It was meant for my husband, please ignore. Apologies, Christy Semmens > Harilaos Lessios wrote: > > > > > > The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), a division of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in the Republic of Panama, offers fellowships for research based at its facilities. Disciplines include ecology, anthropology, paleontology, evolution, systematics, behavior and physiology of tropical plants and animals. > > > > * Earl S. Tupper 3-year postdoctoral fellowship (deadline: Jan15). Applications should include detailed research proposal with budget, curriculum vitae, 2 letters of reference, names and telephone numbers of 3 additional references and reprints of most important papers. Applicants should consult with STRI scientists who will serve as advisor before submitting final application. Annual stipend up to $30,000 with yearly travel and research allotments. Proposals that include comparative research in other tropical countries will be considered. Send inquiries and application to STRI. > > > > * Predoctoral, postdoctoral, senior postdoctoral (up to 1 year) and 10-week fellowships are available through the Smithsonian's Office of Fellowships & Grants, Washington, DC. (deadline: Jan15). For information: OFG, 750 9th Street NW, Suite 9300, Washington DC 20560-0902, siofg at ofg.si.edu, www.si.edu/research+study. > > > > * Three-month fellowships (deadline: Feb15, May15, Aug15 and Nov15) thru STRI. For information: STRI/Office of Education, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948, from the US or Apartado 2072, Balboa, Panama from Latin America, fellows at tivoli.si.edu or www.stri.org > > > > Awards are based upon merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or condition of handicap of the applicant. > > > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > -- > -------------- > Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D. > Scientific Coordinator > Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) > www.reef.org > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. -- -------------- Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D. Scientific Coordinator Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) www.reef.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From edwin_grandcourt at hotmail.com Sun Nov 11 22:36:24 2001 From: edwin_grandcourt at hotmail.com (edwin grandcourt) Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 03:36:24 +0000 Subject: Coral translocation Message-ID: Dear all, There is a reef currently threatened by a reclamation project off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. We are considering ways to translocate as many colonies as possible several kilometers away (rather than have it turned into land). I was wondering if anyone could help with advise on techniques for transportation. Thanks for your consideration. Edwin Grandcourt Marine Environmental Research Center Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency Po. Box 45553 Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Fax: +971-2 681 0008 Tel: +971-2 681 7171 Dir. Tel: +971-2 693 4533 _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jch at aoml.noaa.gov Tue Nov 13 08:25:29 2001 From: jch at aoml.noaa.gov (coral-list admin) Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 13:25:29 GMT Subject: Big News Flash Message-ID: <200111131325.NAA84602@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Greetings, I just wanted to remind coral-listers that if someone is not subscribed to coral-list, their message will probably not go through. Thus, if you forward a coral-list message on to a colleague, and they are not subscribed, but they try to send something, it won't make it. If you try sending from another email address, it won't make it. If someone has just heard of coral-list, and they try to send something through, it won't make it. Today's line up in the rejection pile included a resume, a symposium cancellation, posted research results, a virus, and an announcement pertaining to cheap jet fuel. Thank you for your attention. Cheers, coral-list admin ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From YehudaB at tauex.tau.ac.il Tue Nov 13 08:17:48 2001 From: YehudaB at tauex.tau.ac.il (Yehuda Benayahu) Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 13:17:48 GMT Subject: 7th Int Conf Colen Biol Message-ID: <200111131317.NAA85030@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> November 7, 2001 Dear Colleagues, We write with an update on the 7th International Conference on Coelenterate Biology (ICCB). After consultation with members of the Israeli advisory committee and the international scientific committee, we regret to announce that the ICCB will not be held in October 2002 in Eilat, Israel, as previously planned. This decision was made due to the current political situation in the Middle East, and was reached after much deliberation. We continue to hope for peace in the region. We acknowledge the collaboration and continuous support of the many colleagues and friends who helped us with the preparations towards the 7th ICCB. The new venue for the Conference will be Lawrence, Kansas, USA. The new date is tentatively 7-11 July 2003. Please advise us regarding other meetings that might be being held around that time or any other reasons that those dates might be unsuitable, and we will attempt to make suitable adjustments. Suggestions for sessions and volunteers to organize sessions and workshops are most welcome. Cordially, Yehuda Benayahu, Chair, Organizing Committee for Israel Daphne Fautin, Chair, Organizing Committee for US ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Arnupap.P at Chula.ac.th Wed Nov 14 00:36:57 2001 From: Arnupap.P at Chula.ac.th (Arnupap Panichpol) Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 12:36:57 +0700 (GMT+0700) Subject: Looking for a lab In-Reply-To: <20011024192326.30146.qmail@web10601.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Try to visit this http://www.thames-water.com/ Arnupap Panichpol Aquatic Resources Research Institute (ARRI) 9th floor, Institute Building No. 3 Chulalornkorn University Phayathai rd., Phayathai Bangkok, Thailand 10330 Tel. 662-218-8160-3 Fax. 662-254-4259 On Wed, 24 Oct 2001, Ben-Tzvi Ofer wrote: > Hello, > > We are looking for a lab. that can detect very low > constrictions of copper, tin and lead in seawater > and/or sea creatures or alga or/and substrate. This in > search of tracks of antifouling colors in coral reefs. > Does anybody know a lab that can do it (preferably in > Europe or USA)? > > Ofer Ben-Tzvi > The Institute For Nature Conservation Research. > Tel-Aviv University > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. > http://personals.yahoo.com > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From kinzie at hawaii.edu Tue Nov 13 16:48:44 2001 From: kinzie at hawaii.edu (Dr. Robert A. Kinzie III) Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 11:48:44 -1000 Subject: ALEIPATA AND SAFATA BAN SCUBA FISHING Message-ID: <200111141138.LAA87053@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> PRESS RELEASE ALEIPATA AND SAFATA BAN SCUBA FISHING 12 November 2001 Aleipata and Safata Marine Protected Areas (MPA) District Committees have placed traditional bans on SCUBA fishing and have called on the Government of Samoa to urgently ban SCUBA spearfishing throughout Samoa. Since the ban on SCUBA fishing in American Samoa earlier this year Alii ma Faipule and their MPA District Committees in both Aleipata and Safata have noticed that this form of destructive fishing is now frequently seen and carried out mostly by people from outside the Districts. SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) fisherman use dive tanks and associated breathing gear to gain access to fish, especially at night. Most vulnerable are parrotfish, surgeonfish, grouper and wrasses. Whilst SCUBA is fine for tourism and local sport divers it can be a highly destructive tool when used by commercial fisherman. "The problem with using SCUBA is that fishermen are able to follow the fish into deeper and deeper water so the fish no longer have a deepwater refuge from fishing pressure - the fish have nowhere to hide, they can catch all or most of them," said Latu Afioga, Aleipata MPA District Officer. "Furthermore the growing commercial SCUBA fishery benefits only a few people - who earn a lot of money doing it and who are largely from outside the Districts - but it is the local village fisherman and their families who will suffer if the reefs are overfished as it will be much harder for them to catch food, " said Pulea Ifopo, Safata MPA District Officer. The MPA Project Team has been researching the impact of SCUBA fishing in support of the call for a ban on SCUBA fishing from Aleipata and Safata Marine Protected Areas. A summary of 7 GOOD REASONS TO BAN SCUBA FISHING is attached to this press release. The Aleipata and Safata MPAs are being established as multi-use, community-based marine protected areas and are a partnership between the Districts of Safata and Aleipata, the Government of Samoa, IUCN and the World Bank. The Safata MPA extends from Mulivai in the east to Saanapu in the west and includes nine villages ? Mulivai, Tafitoala, Fausaga, Fusi, Vaiee, Nuusuatia, Lotofaga, Sataoa, and Saanapu. The Aleipata MPA extends from Tiavea in the north to Lalomanu on the south eastern coast and includes eleven villages - Tiavea, Samusu, Amaile, Utufaalalafa, Saleaaumua, Mutiatele, Lotopue, Satitoa, Ulutogia, Vailoa and Lalomanu. For further information please contact the MPA Project Team phone 23 800 Pulea Ifopo Safata MPA District Officer (72965), Latu Afioga ? Aleipata MPA District Officer (74297). SEVEN GOOD REASONS TO BAN SCUBA SPEAR FISHING 1. The commercial SCUBA spearfishery is a major factor in the serious decline of fish stocks on Tututila. SCUBA fishing was banned in American Samoa in March 2001. . It is also banned in Australia, Fiji and French Polynesia. 2. The commercial SCUBA spearfishery is a major factor that led to the collapse of the reef fish fishery on Guam. Guam now has to import its reef fish to eat from the Philippines. 3. Fish are most vulnerable to spearfishing at night when they are asleep. That means that the fishermen can simply go around a reef at night and pick them up like a vacuum cleaner. That is very efficient, since the fish don't have a fighting chance like they do during the day when they can see the diver coming. 4. Once the fisheries have collapsed, they may not recover or take a very long time to do so, if at all. The problem is, that if you catch all or most of the fish, there are none left to breed and replenish the stocks. There are already several examples of this for coral reef fisheries including: ? A seamount was discovered and fished down off Guam in 1967. The fishery completely collapsed and still hasn't recovered 34 years later. ? An important grouper spawning aggregation was overfished in Denges Channel in Palau 1986. It has not recovered. ? Hundreds to thousands of tons of sea cucumbers were fished at Truk during the 1930s. The fishery collapsed and has not recovered 70 years later (very few individuals found in recent surveys). ? Pearl oysters were harvested heavily from Pearl and Hermes Reef (NW Hawaiian islands) in 1927/28. The population was decimated by 1930. Still not recovered 70 years later - recent surveys found only a few. 5. Overfishing of herbivorous (plant - eating) fish may have serious long term effects on the ecosystem: One of the primary targets of this fishery is the seaweed eating parrotfish. If these fish are removed from the reefs, there is a risk of algae overgrowing the corals. This has been experienced in Jamaica and the reefs shift from primarily coral to algal reefs from which it is difficult to recover. 6. Human health risks ? poorly trained SCUBA fisherman run the risk of severe injury, even death, from the use of SCUBA. With long fishing hours mostly at night in remote locations, sometimes inadequate training, lack of decompression facilities and poorly maintained equipment mean that fishing using SCUBA or other air supplied breathing equipment is a risky business and was banned in Fiji because of numerous deaths and injuries. 7. A good way to ban this fishery is to ban fishing using SCUBA and make it illegal to carry SCUBA gear and spearguns together (eg in the same boat). ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From mcwpa at gate.net Wed Nov 14 10:15:54 2001 From: mcwpa at gate.net (Mark Walters & Company) Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 10:15:54 -0500 Subject: 28ac Greenhouse operation-Ft. Pierce, FL Message-ID: <200111141527.PAA87318@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> We are selling a greenhouse operation with aquaculture potential at SEALED BID AUCTION, bid opening Friday, Dec. 14th, 2pm. The Aquaculture Director at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, David Vaughan, Phd. and his colleagues have previewed this site for aquaculture potential and said this operation has near identical equipment to their operation and if they had this facility, they would be at their 10 year goal. I will mail those who are interested our 8 page brochure and you can view our website: http://www.shcraderauction.com (go to Dec.14 on the auction schedule) for details and photos. Please share this information with the aquaculture industry. Mark Walters Walters-Schrader Auction Co. Inc. 561-468-8306 & 561-201-5650 mobile ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From acohen at whoi.edu Wed Nov 14 18:50:18 2001 From: acohen at whoi.edu (anne cohen) Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 18:50:18 -0500 Subject: terminology Message-ID: <3BF3033A.1422A9D0@whoi.edu> Hello: In response to my query below posted Nov 4th, I received several responses but none in agreement. Thank you to those who did reply. The suggestions were: -aposymbiotic -apozooxanthellate -facultative zooxanthellate -facultative symbiotic Others suggest that aposymbiotic/apozooxanthellate should be reserved for zooxanthellate species having lost their zoox i.e. a bleached colony is "apo". However, Veron uses this term in "Corals in Space and Time" to refer to species which are happy being both. Anne. Anne Cohen wrote: > Hello: I am wondering if there is a term in use in the biology > community that describes coral species having both symbiotic and > asymbiotic colonies i.e. a single species that occurs naturally and > healthily in both "states"; > Your ideas are appreciated, > Anne. > > -- Dr A.L. Cohen Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Geology and Geophysics, ms#23 Woods Hole MA 02543 USA T: 508 289 2958 F: 508 457 2175 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From justin.mcdonald at ntu.edu.au Wed Nov 14 21:57:29 2001 From: justin.mcdonald at ntu.edu.au (Justin McDonald) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 12:27:29 +0930 Subject: Stomatopod kill Message-ID: Greetings all I have been following the discussion of mass mortality in stomatopods with some interest. I was wondering if anybody had any imagery of these events that they wouldn't mind being used for undergraduate lectures. Images would of course be referenced appropriately. Many thanks cheerio Justin <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< <(((((< Justin McDonald (President - Australian Marine Sciences Association NT Branch ) School of Biological, Environmental & Chemical Sciences Northern Territory University Darwin, NT. Australia 0909 Telephone: +61 (0)8 8946 6863 Facsimile: +61 (0)8 8946 6847 Email:j_mcdonald at site.ntu.edu.au > -----Original Message----- > From: Roy Caldwell [SMTP:4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu] > Sent: Saturday, 3 November 2001 02:42 > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Subject: Stomatopod kill > > With respect to the recent report of mass mortality of stomatopods in > the Seychelles, I can offer the following guesses. > > First, I suspect that from the numbers, size and color information, > this is (these are) gonodactylids, probably Gonodactylus smithii, G. > viridis or G. chiragra or some combination of green, low intertidal > stomatopods. I have seen three mass mortalities of stomatopods > during my field work, one in Panama, one in Australia, and one in > Guam. There was also the report of a fresh water event in Kaneohe > Bay by Kinzie. In all three cases that I witnessed, there was an > extreme low tide during the day (we are just past a full moon) > coupled with heavy rain and then bright, hot sun. This can cause a > lens of very hot, oxygen poor, fresh water to develop on the exposed > reef. Stomatopods are tough, but when it gets hot, they often will > leave their cavities and try to dig in under rocks, coral heads, etc. > to reach cooler, more saline conditions. If the tide is still out > and there is enough hot fresh water on an exposed reef, this is > fatal. One slight variation on this theme that I one saw on a > mudflat in Thailand was rain and bright sun at low tide. As the tide > came in, the hot, fresh water being pushed ahead was very hot - 44 C. > Many of the burrowing squillids and lysiosquillids vacated their > burrows when the hot water hit and most perished. > > It is hard to tell from this report how wide spread the phenomenon > was. If it occurred over a wide area, then my scenario is unlikely. > If it were on just a few adjacent islands, it is more likely. I > suppose a red tide or other biological explanation is possible, > although I haven't ever heard of this effecting stomatopods on a > massive scale. > > I would be happy to help identify the species, etc. if more > information can be provided. Too bad there isn't an emergency fund > to fly stomatopod biologists to such hotspots. > > Roy > -- > *************************************** > Roy L. Caldwell > Professor of Integrative Biology > Department of Integrative Biology > University of California at Berkeley > Berkeley, CA 94720-3140 > USA > > Phone (office): (510) 642-1391 > Phone (lab): (510) 643-5448 > Fax: (510) 643-6264 > Email: 4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu > http://ib.berkeley.edu/faculty/Caldwell,RL.html > *************************************** > --============_-1207401387==_ma============ > Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" > > > Stomatopod kill >
With respect to the recent report of mass mortality of > stomatopods in the  Seychelles, I can > offer the following guesses.
>

>
First, I suspect that from the numbers, size and color > information, this is (these are) gonodactylids, probably Gonodactylus > smithii, G. viridis or G. chiragra or some combination of green, low > intertidal stomatopods.   I have seen three mass mortalities > of stomatopods during my field work, one in Panama, one in Australia, > and one in Guam.  There was also the report of a fresh water > event in Kaneohe Bay by Kinzie.  In all three cases that I > witnessed, there was an extreme low tide during the day (we are just > past a full moon) coupled with heavy rain and then bright, hot sun.  > This can cause a lens of very hot, oxygen poor, fresh water to develop > on the exposed reef.   Stomatopods are tough, but when it > gets hot, they often will leave their cavities and try to dig in under > rocks, coral heads, etc. to reach cooler, more saline > conditions.   If the tide is still out and there is enough > hot fresh water on an exposed reef, this is fatal.  One slight > variation on this theme that I one saw on a mudflat in Thailand was > rain and bright sun at low tide.  As the tide came in, the hot, > fresh water being pushed ahead was very hot - 44 C.  Many of the > burrowing squillids and lysiosquillids vacated their burrows when the > hot water hit and most perished.
>

>
It is hard to tell from this report how wide spread the > phenomenon was.  If it occurred over a wide area, then my > scenario is unlikely.  If it were on just a few adjacent islands, > it is more likely.  I suppose a red tide or other biological > explanation is possible, although I haven't ever heard of this > effecting stomatopods on a massive scale.
>

>
I would be happy to help identify the species, etc. if more > information can be provided.  Too bad there isn't an emergency > fund to fly stomatopod biologists to such hotspots.
>

>
Roy
> 
-- 
>
>
***************************************
> Roy L. Caldwell
> Professor of Integrative Biology
> Department of Integrative Biology
> University of California at Berkeley
> Berkeley, CA  94720-3140
> USA
>
> Phone (office):  (510) 642-1391
> Phone (lab):      (510) 643-5448
> Fax:       (510) 643-6264
> Email:     4roy at socrates.berkeley.edu
> http://ib.berkeley.edu/faculty/Caldwell,RL.html
> ***************************************
> > > --============_-1207401387==_ma============-- > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From ingridn at system.ecology.su.se Thu Nov 15 05:05:26 2001 From: ingridn at system.ecology.su.se (Ingrid ) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 11:05:26 +0100 Subject: effects of shrinking zoox? Message-ID: <39F3E71A0002B152@system.ecology.su.se> (added by system.ecology.su.se) Hi coral-listers! Does anyone know how gross primary production may be affected by decreasing/ shrinking zooxanthellar size in corals, clams or culture (assuming constant chlorophyll content and number of algae cells)? Will denser concentrations of pigments in zooxanthellae shade each other and decrease production efficiency, or what? I have been unable to find any references on this. I have only seen references where dense populations of zooxanthellae may shade each other and cause diminishing efficiency... Cheers, Ingrid Nordemar ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From dustanp at cofc.edu Thu Nov 15 09:16:37 2001 From: dustanp at cofc.edu (Phillip Dustan) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 09:16:37 -0500 Subject: Chairman position available Message-ID: <3.0.32.20011115091637.0113fb64@cofc.edu> A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 3118 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011115/6a08f131/attachment.bin From Christopher.Reedy at noaa.gov Thu Nov 15 12:52:09 2001 From: Christopher.Reedy at noaa.gov (Christopher Reedy) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 12:52:09 -0500 Subject: URLs for Accessing Data Message-ID: <200111151814.SAA03016@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Here is some guidance for how URLs should be handled in metadata. Please let me know if this causes any problems. Chris ------------- The FGDC standard provides two tags that can be used for URLs for the data described by a given metadata record. These are: 8.10 Online Linkage - under 1.1 Citation, and 6.4.2.2.1.1.1.1 Network Resource Name The FGDC standard, in the FAQs, states: FAQ: What is a Network Resource Name? A: The name of the data set on the network. When appropriate, Uniform Resource Locators (URL) should be provided. FAQ: What is the difference between the Network Resource Name and the Online Linkage (8.10) data element? A: The Network Resource Name is the name of the file or service from which the data set can be obtained from a distributor. Different distributors that provide online access to a data set probably would do so from different sites. The Online Linkage is the name of the file or service maintained by the originator (when used with "Citation" (1.1)) or the name of the file or service from which the data set was obtained (when used with "Source Citation" (2.5.5.1)). (end of FAQ) For CoRIS both the Online Linkage and the Network Resource Name can be used to define the location of the data. Wherever possible, the URL where the data can be obtained should be found in the Network Resource Name. As described in the FAQ, the Online Linkage should be the location of the data as provided by the originator, and the Network Resource Name should be used for the location where the data can currently be obtained. For example, if the data is copied from its original location to an archive, the Online Linkage should contain the original location and the Network Resource Name should contain the location in the archive. In general, both Online Linkage and Network Resource Name should be URLs. Information about other textual information regarding ways to obtain the data can be place in 6.4.2.2.1.2, Access Instructions. As part of data discovery, the CoRIS software will provide access to all the URLs found in under both the Online Linkage and the Network Resource Name tags. The URLs will be ordered with Network Resource Name URLs first, followed by Online Linkage URLs. -- This is informal and not an official Mitretek Systems position. Dr. Christopher L. Reedy, Senior Principal Software Engineer Mitretek Systems M/S Z551, 7525 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102-7400 Email: creedy at mitretek.org Phone: (703) 610-1615 FAX: (703) 610-1603 ~~~~~~~ To unsubscribe from the CoRIS list, please send "unsubscribe" in the body of a message to majordomo at coral.aoml.noaa.gov. From rcheck at ucla.edu Thu Nov 15 18:00:58 2001 From: rcheck at ucla.edu (Reef Check Headquarters) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 15:00:58 -0800 Subject: Fall Issue of the Transect Line: News from the Global Reef Check Network Message-ID: Apologies for Cross Posting ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All, Greetings. I wanted to let you know the fall issue of ?The Transect Line: News from the Global Reef Check Network? is now available to view on line at www.reefcheck.org/news.htm. Our latest newsletter has exciting updates from teams all over the world, information about upcoming trainings, and news about our new training video. If you would like to see your team included in the next newsletter, please send any information or pictures to our new outreach coordinator, Kelly McGee at: Rcheck2 at ucla.edu. Reef Check Headquarters 1362 Hershey Hall 149607 University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095-1496 USA 1-310-794-4985 (phone) 1-310-825-0758 (fax) www.reefcheck.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From howzit at turtles.org Thu Nov 15 16:51:12 2001 From: howzit at turtles.org (Ursula Keuper-Bennett) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 16:51:12 -0500 Subject: Article " Global Warming Not Only Danger to Corals" Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011115164303.01e53c00@localhost> Greetings all, Just found this and thought others would be interested. I'm hoping too that someone might know what species of cyanobacteria was involved here. I'd also be interested in any comments people might have about this article and the role cyanobacteria might play in disease expression of coral or any other marine organism. Many thanks, Ursula Keuper-Bennett TURTLE TRAX http://www.turtles.org "Global Warming Not Only Danger to Corals EarthVision Environmental News BOSTON, November 15, 2001 - Although scientists have warned that global warming was wreaking havoc with corals across the globe, a creeping bacterial infection that plagues corals, called black band disease, is caused by a combination of human sewage and shipyard discharge researchers say, which means corals are facing threats on more than one front. According to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign geologist Bruce Fouke and his colleagues, the corals are feeling the stress of environmental pollution, which in turn makes them more susceptible to bacterial infection. "Black band disease is characterized by a ring-shaped bacterial mat that migrates across a coral colony, leaving dead tissue in its wake," says Fouke. "Like a tropical rainforest, a coral reef system is a cradle of biodiversity. If we destroy the reefs, we destroy the ocean's ability to reproduce." Fouke and his UI research team studied corals off the island of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, near the Venezuelan coast. To identify the microbes inhabiting the black band biomat, the researchers extracted the microbes' DNA and found several organisms that are human pathogens, which could be a direct link to raw sewage. Also present in the biomat was a ropy network of cyanobacteria, a unique group of photosynthetic bacteria that cannot live without light. In field experiments, the researchers used shields to block light from infected corals. Black band disease disappeared from the regions that were not exposed to light. "This indicates that cyanobacteria are an important part of the disease development, but may not be the pathogen," Fouke said. "Perhaps the cyanobacteria form an apartment complex, allowing a variety of destructive anaerobic bacteria to take up residence in the low-oxygen microenvironment." Although Fouke says more tests are needed to see exactly what is killing the coral, he notes that all the signs point to human pollution as playing a role in the destruction. Fouke presented the findings at the recent annual meeting of the Geological Society of America." ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From szmanta at uncwil.edu Fri Nov 16 14:11:05 2001 From: szmanta at uncwil.edu (Alina M. Szmant) Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 14:11:05 -0500 Subject: Article " Global Warming Not Only Danger to Corals" In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.2.20011115164303.01e53c00@localhost> Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20011116140627.02f610c0@pop.uncwil.edu> Dear Ursula: We'll have to see how this story plays out when it goes through some sort of peer review. I can tell you that the biggest outbreaks of BBD I have ever seen were in totally uninhabited areas, such as Joulters Keys, at N end of Andros Island (totally remote, undetectable nutrient concentrations) and places like the offshore Belize Barrier Reef, again few to no people. Just because these investigators can find some strange microbes in their samples doesn't mean these caused the disease, and they have to show they didn't contaminate the corals with there very presence. Alina Szmant At 04:51 PM 11/15/2001 -0500, Ursula Keuper-Bennett wrote: >Greetings all, > >Just found this and thought others would be interested. > >I'm hoping too that someone might know what species of cyanobacteria was >involved here. I'd also be interested in any comments people might have >about this article and the role cyanobacteria might play in disease >expression of coral or any other marine organism. > >Many thanks, >Ursula Keuper-Bennett >TURTLE TRAX >http://www.turtles.org > > > >"Global Warming Not Only Danger to Corals > EarthVision Environmental News > > >BOSTON, November 15, 2001 - Although scientists have warned that global >warming was wreaking havoc with corals across the globe, a creeping >bacterial infection that plagues corals, called black band disease, is >caused by a combination of human sewage and shipyard discharge researchers >say, which means corals are facing threats on more than one front. >According to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign geologist Bruce >Fouke and his colleagues, the corals are feeling the stress of >environmental pollution, which in turn makes them more susceptible to >bacterial infection. > >"Black band disease is characterized by a ring-shaped bacterial mat that >migrates across a coral colony, leaving dead tissue in its wake," says >Fouke. "Like a tropical rainforest, a coral reef system is a cradle of >biodiversity. If we >destroy the reefs, we destroy the ocean's ability to reproduce." > >Fouke and his UI research team studied corals off the island of Curacao in >the Netherlands Antilles, near the Venezuelan coast. To identify the >microbes inhabiting the black band biomat, the researchers extracted the >microbes' DNA and found several organisms that are human pathogens, which >could be a direct link to raw sewage. Also present in the biomat was a >ropy network of cyanobacteria, a unique group of photosynthetic bacteria >that cannot live without light. In field experiments, the researchers used >shields to block light from infected corals. Black band disease >disappeared from the regions that were not exposed to light. > >"This indicates that cyanobacteria are an important part of the disease >development, but may not be the pathogen," Fouke said. "Perhaps the >cyanobacteria form an apartment complex, allowing a variety of destructive >anaerobic bacteria to take up residence in the low-oxygen microenvironment." > >Although Fouke says more tests are needed to see exactly what is killing >the coral, he notes that all the signs point to human pollution as playing >a role in the destruction. Fouke presented the findings at the recent >annual meeting of >the Geological Society of America." > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ******************************************************************* Dr. Alina M. Szmant Coral Reef Research Group Professor of Biology Center for Marine Science University of North Carolina at Wilmington 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane Wilmington NC 28409-5928 tel: (910)962-2362 fax: (910)962-2410 email: szmanta at uncwil.edu http://www.uncwil.edu/people/szmanta/ ****************************************************************** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011116/a3a047fd/attachment.html From christine.schoenberg at mail.uni-oldenburg.de Sun Nov 18 09:26:05 2001 From: christine.schoenberg at mail.uni-oldenburg.de (christine.schoenberg) Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 15:26:05 +0100 Subject: more about Chilean penguins Message-ID: Dear fiends, I wrote to you about the penguin colony at the Seno Otway in Chile and the Fondation Otway, who tried to avert hotels being built on that land and sued. The story goes on: They won the lawsuit. However, it was ruled that for a period of time nobody was supposed to be on the land, not the owners, not the Foundation, not a single tourist. During that period a new Tourist Agency appeared out of nowhere, 'Turis Otway', and ignored the ruling. They started and continue to bring large numbers of tourists through the empty facilities established by and barred to the Foundation. In Chile laws may be restricting to one party and nonexistent to another, the police turns away for 'Turis Otway', so the Foundation cannot do anything against it. The locals feel that they now get part of the pie - only what they deserve - and that the gringos - mainly environmentalist Germans - will finally be forced back to where they came from. I can sympathise with that, except that the locals handle the management quite different than the Foundation, who wants this land to be "Santuario de la Naturaleza", self-preserving, but not commercially exploited. Since the lawsuit started, the Foundation could not protect the penguins, which had losses in breeding this year, and they had no income through the tourists they educated every year. This means that now they cannot pay the managers and scientist anymore. Some people already had to return to their home countries. Sorry that I drag penguins on the coral and sponge lists, but the Fondacion Otway is not restricted to penguins only, and I think we should be concerned about vertebrates, just as we are about invertebrates. Anyone who is interested or has ideas how to help can contact the present director of the colony: Dr. Kai George senotway at ctcinternet.cl , who will probably stay until end of the year and then leave as well. Thanks for your patience, Christine Dr. Christine Sch?nberg, PhD Dept. of Zoosystematics & Morphology FB 7 - Biology, Geo- & Environmental Sciences Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg 26111 OLDENBURG GERMANY ph +49-441-7983373 fax +49-441-7983162 email christine.schoenberg at mail.uni-oldenburg.de when travelling: christineaway at gmx.net internet http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/zoomorphology/Whoiswho.html ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From milviapin at yahoo.com Sun Nov 18 17:31:22 2001 From: milviapin at yahoo.com (Silvia Pinca) Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 14:31:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: aquaculture job posting in Marshall Islands Message-ID: <20011118223122.67643.qmail@web14509.mail.yahoo.com> Sorry for cross-posting..... Job Ref: SPE 402 Country: Marshall Islands Location: Majuro Position: Atoll Aquaculture Researcher Salary: $30,000 USD Category: Education & Training Job Description: The successful candidate will essentially help initiate research in aquaculture since the facilities are only now being built. This person should be able to work in a developing country and be sensitive to differences in culture and educational levels. A good deal of entrepreneurial spirit would certainly help along with the ability to form long distance collaborations and partnerships for intellectual stimulus and support. As such, proficiency with accessing information through electronic media is essential. The Atoll Aquaculture Researcher will develop two applied research projects in the first six months that will be approved by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Land Grant Hatch Funding Program. The Hatch Funds are set aside for research in Land Grant institutions, and as such are not available broadly under the usual competitive grants. This makes the process easier, but the projects will still be peer reviewed. Then, within the two year initial contract, it is expected that between four to six approved projects will be researched. The nature of the research projects will be very much applied and specific to the needs of the Marshall Islands. Duties and Responsibilities: The Researcher Position focuses on applied research that will augment, overcome hurdles or create new processes based on new information generated in the area of the Researcher's expertise plus the needs within the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Such RMI needs may be garnered from the concerns of existing industry or the introduction of new targets that could themselves be new opportunities. Upon balancing these concerns, there is a requirement to secure two USDA-approved research projects in the first six months of employment as part of the job responsibility. The results of research efforts must be published in peer review journals and portions translated for broad community understanding and awareness. The Land Grant entitlement to the Marshall Islands includes the Agriculture Experiment Station (AES) for applied research purposes. AES funding must be used within the US Federal fiscal year (October 1st to September 30th) hence it is a high priority to develop research projects that can utilize these funds within this time frame. In addition, the Marshall Islands can apply for other USDA grants that, while on a competitive basis, are not openly available to all researchers. Hence, significant research funds can be available, but we must work to secure these and that will be one of the major responsibilities for this position. This Researcher Position will basically initiate Land Grant research activities in the Marshall Islands so it will be very much a building process. Contract, Salary and Benefits: The initial contract will be two years in length with renewal in two-year increments based on performance and mutual agreement. The salary for the position is $30,000 per year plus $750 per month for housing and moving expenses up to $3,000. However, it should be made clear that the $30,000 per year salary has been set by the College of Micronesia Board of Regents (COM BOR) as a special consideration to attract Ph.D. candidates, and at this time, there is no provision for a salary increase. The COM BOR may choose to increase the Researcher salary at some future time, but this has yet to occur. This position is open until filled. Listing Date: 09/09/01 Back ===== Silvia Pinca, Marine Science Program College of the Marshall Islands P.O. Box 1258 Majuro, MH 96960 ph. 692-625-5903 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From lisakleinholz at yahoo.com Mon Nov 19 09:47:14 2001 From: lisakleinholz at yahoo.com (Lisa Kleinholz) Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 06:47:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Are coral reefs doomed? // Land based sources of pollution. In-Reply-To: <011001c14a9b$d122a720$4712c080@ecology.uga.edu> Message-ID: <20011119144714.93103.qmail@web13304.mail.yahoo.com> Dear Jim, I'd like a copy if you still have any--for a novel (and series of magazine articles) I'm completing that focuses on this issue. Also, at some point, ideally this winter or next spring, I'd like to do an interview. Best, Lisa Kleinholz 203 Heatherstone Road Amherst, MA 01002 www.kleinholz.com reply to lkleinholz at yahoo.com or lisa at kleinholz.com --- "James W. Porter" wrote: > I still have reprints of my Academic Press review on this subject: > Porter, J.W., and J.I. Tougas. 2001. Reef ecosystems: Threats to > their biodiversity. Encyclop. Biodiver. 5:73-95. ===== Lisa Kleinholz exiles at kleinholz.com www.kleinholz.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From semp at goldenrock.net Tue Nov 20 01:52:17 2001 From: semp at goldenrock.net (St. Eustatius Marine Park) Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001 11:22:17 +0430 Subject: proposed artificial reef Message-ID: <002701c17190$05d72660$0c000003@oemcomputer> Hello coral-listers. I'm looking for some advice about a proposed artificial reef for the Statia Marine Park. The local oil terminal was recently tasked to clean up "the farm" which is basically a dump for their old heavy equipment. The terminal approached me about turning some of these items into an artificial reef on the bay side of the island. We already have two artificial reefs there, but in deeper water than where the terminal proposed placing this equipment. I toured "the farm" this morning to look at the possible future artificial reef materials which include large steel pipes, cranes, containers, iron walkways and (cringe) SPM hoses which terminal personnel assure me can be cleaned of any oil residue. Specifically I need to know what materials are safe and guidelines for preparation of these materials. If we decide to allow the placement of this material, I need to instruct terminal personnel to separate materials into "no," maybe," and "okay" piles by mid-December in order for the terminal to meet the clean-up deadline. At that point they can start preparation of the materials fit to go in the water. The Statia Marine Park surrounds the island of Statia and harbors two no-take reserves comprised primarily of surprisingly healthy coral. One concern is that fish may move from these natural and protected areas to these artificial ones where fishing is allowed. There is about a 2 mile buffer between the proposed site and the northern reserve, and about a 3 mile buffer between the site and the southern reserve. I am not completely sold on the idea of artificial reefs (nothing can come close to matching natural ones), although they do enhance fishing and diving opportunities which are both important factors for the economy on this island. Any opinions/advice on this issue??? Thanks, Kay Lynn Kay Lynn Plummer Marine and National Parks Manager St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation Gallows Bay St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles Tel: 599-3182884 Fax: 599-3182913 email: semp at goldenrock.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011120/6a6f84ea/attachment.html From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tue Nov 20 12:19:35 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001 12:19:35 -0500 Subject: proposed artificial reef In-Reply-To: <002701c17190$05d72660$0c000003@oemcomputer> Message-ID: Hi Kay, If you currently have a general overfishing problem, then adding artificial reefs with access to fishers is very likely to add to the problem. Overfishing usually means that people have already removed 40%, 50% or more of the biomass of target species, and so space limitation is not likely to be a controlling factor. Adding more places for fish to live after drastically reducing the original population rarely makes sense. The artificial reefs become essentially additional fishing gear, and two of the worst things anyone can do in an overfishing situation are to improve the gear and/or lower the cost of fishing. Toxins are another problem, and there are several books and symposium volumes on those. However, if you are concerned about overfishing, you would already have a good reason not to go further. Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4600 www.ncoremiami.org -----Original Message----- From: owner-coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:owner-coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of St. Eustatius Marine Park Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 1:52 AM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: proposed artificial reef Hello coral-listers. I'm looking for some advice about a proposed artificial reef for the Statia Marine Park. The local oil terminal was recently tasked to clean up "the farm" which is basically a dump for their old heavy equipment. The terminal approached me about turning some of these items into an artificial reef on the bay side of the island. We already have two artificial reefs there, but in deeper water than where the terminal proposed placing this equipment. I toured "the farm" this morning to look at the possible future artificial reef materials which include large steel pipes, cranes, containers, iron walkways and (cringe) SPM hoses which terminal personnel assure me can be cleaned of any oil residue. Specifically I need to know what materials are safe and guidelines for preparation of these materials. If we decide to allow the placement of this material, I need to instruct terminal personnel to separate materials into "no," maybe," and "okay" piles by mid-December in order for the terminal to meet the clean-up deadline. At that point they can start preparation of the materials fit to go in the water. The Statia Marine Park surrounds the island of Statia and harbors two no-take reserves comprised primarily of surprisingly healthy coral. One concern is that fish may move from these natural and protected areas to these artificial ones where fishing is allowed. There is about a 2 mile buffer between the proposed site and the northern reserve, and about a 3 mile buffer between the site and the southern reserve. I am not completely sold on the idea of artificial reefs (nothing can come close to matching natural ones), although they do enhance fishing and diving opportunities which are both important factors for the economy on this island. Any opinions/advice on this issue??? Thanks, Kay Lynn Kay Lynn Plummer Marine and National Parks Manager St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation Gallows Bay St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles Tel: 599-3182884 Fax: 599-3182913 email: semp at goldenrock.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011120/095f16cf/attachment.html From bmtrust at sunbeach.net Wed Nov 21 12:10:18 2001 From: bmtrust at sunbeach.net (Barbados Marine Trust) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 12:10:18 -0500 Subject: Artificial Reefs Message-ID: Hi Kay Lynn, Have a look at www.artificialreefs.org. If you want almost "real reefs" -this is the way to go. Please do not use the ocean as a junk yard or as a means of disposing of solid waste. I agree with Kalli - if they are to be used for diving purposes - yes they attract fish but make sure they are safe - all rough edges and small parts removed. And keep them far from the natural reef in case they damage it. All in all, we don't really like the idea!! Loreto Duffy-Mayers Executive Director Barbados Marine Trust --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.292 / Virus Database: 157 - Release Date: 10/26/01 -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 2116 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011121/6a343985/attachment.bin From riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Tue Nov 20 16:00:59 2001 From: riskmj at mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca (Mike Risk) Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001 16:00:59 -0500 Subject: proposed artificial reef References: <002701c17190$05d72660$0c000003@oemcomputer> Message-ID: <00d601c17207$15a29a80$4bc17182@MyHost> First of all, I would echo John's statements re fish. Be careful about building reefs in heavily-fished areas, because the last thing you need is another FAD. On the other hand, questions about proper materials etc may readily be answered. These are all in the literature, I could dig the refs out if necesssary. 1. properly-constructed "artificial" reef materials resemble real ones as closely as possible, hence the quotes. In terms of larval success, the best stuff to use is sawn-up or broken-up corals-but we would not wish to make a habit of this. Pleistocene reef rock is abundant in many places in the Caribbean, and that stuff works fine-as do concrete blocks, but they cost more. 2. absolutely to be avoided is the conversion of a terrestrial waste-disposal problem into a reef. Avoid metals, plastics. Fish assemble on spatially-complex metal structures very quickly, but they know naught of heavy metal accumulation, etc. Stick to calcium carbonate. 3. build as much spatial complexity as possible into whatever you do. The reefs I built 25 years ago in Discovery Bay are still there, now heavily-silted, but with corals and other inverts growing all over them, bioeroders in the reef rock and concrete blocks...but there are lessons. Corals accreted on the blocks only above the substrate, avoiding the lower layer of suspended sediment. And to echo John: local fishermen were potting lobster off these things 6 months after they were built, lobster that may well have survived better on a "real" reef. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011120/eb5b2414/attachment.html From lauriejr at dgte.mozcom.com Tue Nov 20 19:03:36 2001 From: lauriejr at dgte.mozcom.com (Raymundo Laurie) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 08:03:36 +0800 Subject: No subject Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.0.20011121075917.009f2ec0@dgte.mozcom.com> Hello, all: I have heard reference to Millepora spp. as "weedy" species--i.e., establishing after disturbance. Therefore, if a reef has an abundance of Millepora, this may be a sign of past disturbance or reef stress. Has anyone else heard of this? If so, does anyone know of anything published that could be cited? Better yet, if there are any authors out there of any such references, might I request a reprint? Thank you.... Laurie ------------------------------- Laurie J. Raymundo, Ph.D. Silliman University Marine Laboratory Dumaguete City 6200 Philippines ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From melissa.thomson at jcu.edu.au Thu Nov 22 20:52:41 2001 From: melissa.thomson at jcu.edu.au (Melissa Thomson) Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 11:52:41 +1000 Subject: LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER POSITION Message-ID: <3BFDABE9.E547A9B5@jcu.edu.au> LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER IN MARINE GEOLOGY/SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY TOWNSVILLE CAMPUS, JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA Applications are invited for a Lectureship/Senior Lectureship in Marine Geology or Sedimentary Geology in the School of Earth Sciences at the Townsville campus of James Cook University, north Queensland, Australia. The successful applicant will hold an appropriate doctoral qualification from a recognized university and will have demonstrated an exceptional research capability or promise through publication in the international literature. He or she will be, or have the potential to become, a committed teacher at undergraduate level and is expected to be an effective supervisor of post-graduate students. This position offers an exceptional research and teaching opportunity. James Cook University is located adjacent to the central sector of the Great Barrier Reef and has a high profile in Marine Science and Earth Science which both attract targeted resources as areas of research focus in the institutional profile. Townsville is a major centre for Marine Science in Australia and hosts the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Reef Cooperative Research Centre. A wide range of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary basins are also located in the north Queensland region, including the Bowen Basin which supports a major coal export industry, offering wide-ranging opportunities for pure and applied sedimentary research. The School offers two Bachelor of Science degree programs within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and contributes to a third, interdisciplinary program in Marine Science. These programs are open to international students. The School of Earth Sciences has fourteen academic staff, concentrated mainly on the Townsville campus. It has exceptional strength in its research student enrolment of some 60, drawn from both Australia and overseas, and attracts significant competitive research funding. The School operates a 20 m research vessel capable of ranging across the north Queensland continental shelf with deployment of contemporary Reson side-scan and Datasonic seismic profiling geophysical equipment and offers access to a wide range of sampling and analytical equipment such as XRF, XRD, ICP MS, electron microprobe, laser particle sizer, and S4 current meters. Salary range: A$51600 - A$61056 (Lecturer); A$62946 - A$72402 (Senior Lecturer). Level of appointment and commencing salary will be set according to qualifications and experience. Additional benefits include employer superannuation contribution, options for salary packaging, a generous relocation allowance and eligibility for Special Studies Program participation. For further information contact Professor Robert A. Henderson: email bob.henderson at jcu.edu.au. Closing date for applications: December 17, 2001 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Nov 23 14:08:23 2001 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 14:08:23 -0500 Subject: Priorities for public comment on Monday -- please forward to relevant lists Message-ID: {Please pardon cross-listings.} Dear Colleagues, The Workshop: Priorities for Caribbean Coral Reef Research, was held on October 3-5, 2001 in Miami. The 65 participants were carefully selected to represent a broad range of fields and institutions, and included scientists and managers from 11 countries. For the sake of productivity, the group was deliberately kept small. However, we would like to have comments and suggestions on the draft output of the workshop from all interested parties. The document will be finalized on Thursday, November 29, and distributed at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting on December 5. It will then be presented to a large number of funding and operating agencies. The near-final draft will be posted for public comment on our website from Monday (noon) through Wednesday (close of business) November 25 - 28. The final document will be posted soon thereafter. An early draft is currently on line at: This will be replaced on Monday with an improved version, and linked to our main website at www.ncoremiami.org. The latter version is the one we need comments on. Comments should be directed to the ncore at rsmas.miami.edu e-mail address. Thank you for your assistance, John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4600 www.ncoremiami.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 2600 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011123/8aeaa779/attachment.bin From jsperoni at enviroweb.org Wed Nov 21 19:32:55 2001 From: jsperoni at enviroweb.org (iso-8859-1] "José A. Speroni) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 21:32:55 -0300 Subject: More on sea turtles Message-ID: <200111220251.CAA17408@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> ******************************************* ACTION ALERT! November 20, 2001 ANOTHER CHANCE TO SPEAK OUT FOR STRONGER SEA TURTLE PROTECTION Folks, Below is an update on an action alert that the ESC sent out several weeks ago. It makes clear the importance of taking the time to write into the National Marine Fisheries Service to help them withstand the political pressures to weaken or abandon protections for endangered species. Thanks to all those groups who have already signed on and to those activists who have sent comments in. Ed Lytwak ESC communications director P.S. The ESC's original action alert cover letter is below for those who want a little more background on this issue. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >From the Endangered Species Coalition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ACTION ALERT provided by Oceana. YOUR HELP IS STILL CRUCIAL TO SAVE ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SEA TURTLES FROM DESTRUCTIVE FISHING PRACTICES: NMFS caved to pressure from Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and the commercial shrimping sector yesterday when the agency agreed to extend the public comment period on a proposed rule to enlarge the openings in turtle excluder devices (TEDs) to allow large endangered and threatened sea turtles escape from shrimp trawl nets. This comment period extension enables NMFS to further delay taking action to protect sea turtles from destructive fishing practices. Thanks to all the organizations and individuals who have shown interest in this issue over the past few weeks by sending in their own letter to Phil Williams, NMFS' Endangered Species Division Chief, and for signing on to our organizational sign-on letter. We have 40+ signatories so far!...but we will need many more. For those who have not yet had a chance to review this letter, we need your help to ensure that NMFS does not continue to cave to special interests. Please review our letter below which urges NMFS to implement new requirements to enlarge TED openings immediately without the proposed one-year delay. We urge you to send in your own letter to NMFS as well as to sign your organization on to our letter. For organizations interested in signing on to our letter, please email me at td at oceana.org , and include the name of your organization, your name, and title. Deadline for sign ons is December 20, 2001. Tanya Dobrzynski; Oceana; 2501 M Street, NW, Suite 300; Washington, D.C. 20037-1311; ph 202-833-3900; fax 202-833-2070; td at oceana.org . Below is the sign on and sample comment letter from Oceana regarding increased protection of endangered and threatened sea turtles from shrimp fishing nets. Oceana would like to encourage ESC members both to sign on to our letter as well as to use the letter as a template to send in their own comments to NMFS. The letter basically supports NMFS' proposed rule to enlarge turtle excluder device openings to help large sea turtles escape from shrimp trawl nets. However, the letter points out several problems with the rule: 1) The regulations propose delaying implementation of the sea turtle protection measures for an entire year after the final rule goes into effect-this would result in the killing of thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles; 2) The sea turtle protection measures for try nets (otter trawl nets btw 12 and 16 ft. wide that shrimpers use to test for shrimp abundance in certain areas), which often capture and drown sea turtles, are too weak; 3) The impact of recreational shrimp trawl fisheries on sea turtles should be assessed and measures to prevent sea turtles mortality during recreational fishing operations, which use gear similar to try nets, should be clarified; and 4) Increased funding of enforcement and monitoring measures should accompany enactment of these regulations. The DEADLINE to send comments in to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is MONDAY, DECEMBER 31. Sign On and Sample Comment Letter: November 7, 2001 Mr. Phil Williams; Chief, Endangered Species Division; Office of Protected Resources; National Marine Fisheries Service; 1315 East-West Highway; Silver Spring, MD 20910. Re: Proposed rule amending regulations to protect sea turtles (66 Fed. Reg. 50148). Dear Mr. Williams: The undersigned organizations oppose destructive fishing practices, which result in the incidental capture or injury of non-target species, overfishing, or damage to ocean habitats. Therefore, we appreciate this opportunity to comment on the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) proposed rule to enlarge turtle excluder device (TED) openings and impose other measures to prevent the mortality of threatened and endangered sea turtles in the process of shrimp fishing operations (66 Fed. Reg. 50148, October 2, 2001). At a time when all six species of sea turtle are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the proposed regulations take a crucial step toward ensuring that shrimp fisheries do not further jeopardize the continued existence of these magnificent marine animals. While we support enlarging TED openings to protect large sea turtles from shrimp nets and numerous other proposed changes to reduce sea turtle mortality, we urge NMFS to strengthen the proposed rule and other sea turtle mortality reduction efforts in the following key areas. First, we oppose the proposal to delay implementation of the regulations until one full year after publication of the final rule to minimize adverse socioeconomic effects. It is unlawful for NMFS to imperil endangered and threatened sea turtles to alleviate short-term economic discomfort. Furthermore, such a delay in implementation would result in the killing of thousands of sea turtles, and would allow NMFS to violate its own standard that TEDs must be at least 97 percent effective to be approved. Therefore, we urge NMFS to implement these new TED requirements as swiftly as possible. Second, while we applaud NMFS' acknowledgement of the impacts of try nets on sea turtles, we are concerned about the lack of enforceability and effectiveness of the proposed tow time restrictions, and urge NMFS to adopt more stringent measures to prevent sea turtle mortality during the deployment of this gear. In the case of bait shrimpers, NMFS acknowledged that "tow time restrictions are extremely difficult to enforce and have only been authorized in limited cases where particular fishing practices limit the length of tows." (66 Fed. Reg. 50150.) The lack of enforceability, and therefore effectiveness, of tow time restrictions led NMFS to propose more stringent restrictions on bait shrimpers, a measure we strongly support. We fail to understand why tow time restrictions would be any more enforceable or effective at reducing sea turtle mortality from shrimp fishing try nets than they are when applied to bait shrimpers. We urge NMFS to revisit and strengthen restrictions to prevent sea turtle mortality in the course of try net operations. Third, we urge NMFS to investigate the impact of recreational shrimping on sea turtles. The Environmental Assessment (EA) accompanying the proposed rule indicates that a recreational shrimp trawl fishery occurs seasonally in the inside waters of the Gulf states. The EA indicates that recreational trawl size may reach 16 feet in width and estimates the recreational shrimp trawl fleet at 8,000 boats. At 16 feet, recreational trawls are the same size as try nets, which the regulations propose to regulate because they are known to capture and kill sea turtles. Yet, it is unclear what, if any, restrictions apply to recreational shrimpers. We urge NMFS to conduct a more rigorous assessment of the impacts of recreational trawlers on sea turtles and to clarify what management measures are in effect to ensure that recreational shrimp trawling does not contribute to sea turtle mortality. Finally, we urge NMFS to direct adequate funding toward ensuring that shrimpers comply with these regulations and monitoring the effectiveness of the proposed measures. If properly monitored and enforced, these regulations have the ability to save thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles from being drowned in shrimp nets. To this end, NMFS should establish a mandatory observer program to cover a representative sample of shrimp vessels in the southeast region. Furthermore, NMFS should allocate increased funds to establish additional Protected Resources Enforcement Teams and to carry out other enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the new TED regulations in the vast shrimp fishery of the southeast region. We thank you for your consideration of our comments. We look forward to working with you in the future to establish safe waters for sea turtles and to end other destructive fishing practices that result in excessive bycatch, overfishing, or habitat degradation. Sincerely, Oceana, Tanya Dobrzynski, Marine Ecosystems Specialist. Endangered Species Coalition, Brock Evans, Executive Director. BACKGROUND, ESC original action alert cover letter: Folks, With Congress preoccupied over national security and wrapping up the FY'02 spending bills, much of the "action" has now shifted to the less visible but vitally important issues surrounding how protections for imperiled species are implemented. A case in point are newly proposed regulations to expand the size of sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawling nets. Marine biologists say that the trawling nets are a big reason sea turtles are endangered, because once the turtles get caught in the nets they cannot surface and drown before the nets are hauled in. About a decade ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service began requiring shrimpers to install TEDs and they are credited with significantly helping to reverse the decline of critically endangered species such as Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. Unfortunately, the TEDs currently in use are too small for large mature turtles, especially loggerheads and leatherbacks. The shrimping industry, however, is determined to fight these new regulations saying that the larger TEDs would hurt their profit margins by allowing too many shrimp to escape, even though the NMFS estimates that shrimp loss will only be 1% to 3%. The industry has a powerful ally in Louisiana Representative Billy Tauzin, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and in a Nola.com, AP story 11/7, Rep. Tauzin announced that he is "ready to fight proposals to make shrimpers install larger turtle excluder devices in their nets." Its now up to us to give the NMFS support it needs to resist what should be some intense political pressure to abandon these new sea turtle protective measures. Ed Lytwak ESC communications director ****************************************** Jos? A. Speroni, DVM E-mail: jsperoni at enviroweb.org C.E.I.H. ar784 at lafn.org C.C. 18 cj313 at ncf.ca (7100) Dolores ICQ: 41190790 Buenos Aires Phone: +54(2245)44-2350 REP?BLICA ARGENTINA Fax: +54(2245)44-0625 *********************************************************************** The CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS E INVESTIGACIONES HERPETOLOGICAS gratefully acknowledges the support received from: Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag (Germany), Mantella Publishing (UK) Research Information Systems, Inc. (USA), Reptilia (Spain) Clark Development Company, Inc. (USA), FTP Software, Inc. (USA) Key Tronic Corporation (USA), Colorado Memory Systems, Inc. (USA) *********************************************************************** "Many feel that Gary Kildall, the inventor, should have received the dollars and kudos that went to Bill Gates, the merchandiser." CS, Nov. 1994 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From rgrigg at soest.hawaii.edu Wed Nov 21 16:48:55 2001 From: rgrigg at soest.hawaii.edu (Richard Grigg) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 11:48:55 -1000 Subject: proposed artificial reef Message-ID: <200111220250.CAA17286@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> To all, Aside from the shape, location, material, etc. that one uses to construct a artificial reefs, another important point that often is NOT considered is their protection. It is common knowledge that artificial reefs do aggregate fishes, therefore making them (the fishes) easier to catch. But, if all fishing is prohibited, then artificial reefs may serve not just to aggregate but CONSERVE the stocks, and create a haven for non-consumptive uses. Unfortunately, most artificial reefs in the past have been built to serve the interests of fishermen. Rick Grigg At 11:34 AM 11/21/01 -0800, kdm at bonairelive.com wrote: >Hi Kay Lynn > >The artificial reef creation business is a really tricky one. Part of >the problem is that it is too often used as a "feel good" excercise in >lieu of taking on the real issues and threats to existing reefs. > >You should definitely think about a couple of things: purpose (why >you are creating an artificial reef), materials (are they suitable/safe) >and how the materials will be deployed. > >PURPOSE >If you are creating an artificial reef as a fish sanctuary I think John >McManus already gave you a good overview. I'm not sure your reefs >are chronically overfished. If they are not, you would expect to see >a spill over effect onto your "new" reefs ie fish would indeed migrate >over to them. I would not expect the spill over to deplete your >existing protected areas, unless there were something forcing them >out of the protected areas. Why should terminal junk be MORE >attractive to fish than the real thing ??? > >If your purpose is reef enhancement .. terminal junk will always be >terminal junk. It may become covered in coral over time but it is >unlikely ever to mimic a "reef". You would be better going for FADs >like "Reef Balls" or similar. In any case if your reefs are being held >in check by anything other than just lack of available substrate, >you would also need to address these other factors simultaneously >in order to be able to "create" a new reef. In other words if there are >no reefs because of high sedimentation level, you would need to >stop the source of the sediment too. > >If your purpose is to please divers you are into a completely >different ball game. Not only can wrecks/junk really ease diving >pressure on real reefs but divers love this kind of stuff - Cayman is >poised to turn itself into the wreck mecca of the Caribbean - I'm >serious !. So you could be giving Cayman a run for their money. In >this case of course, you would need to select only those items >which divers find attractive. > >If your purpose however is simply for the Terminal to "legitimately" >get rid of their junk, which they would otherwise no doubt be legally >required to dispose of in a responsible fashion - I guess the answer >is "nah" ! > >MATERIALS >In terms of materials, there is a great publication entitled >"Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Materials" by the Gulf States >Marine Fisheries Commission No. 38 Jan 1997. This gives a blow >by blow account of overview, benefits, drawbacks and >recommendations for just about any substance someone is likely >to want to dump in the Marine Park. The web address for a >downloadable pdf version is: >http://www.gsmfc.org/pubs/SFRP/Guidelines_for_Marine_Artificial_ >Reef_Materials_January_1997.pdf > >My advice re materials, such as it is, would be to make sure they >are sufficiently heavy. The last thing you want is a junk yard which >rolls around killing what ever natural reef, in fauna etc you have >every time there is a big blow. > >And of course ... you would need to make sure it's not toxic !! > >PLACEMENT >This may not be an issue for you if your existing reefs are far >enough away from the proposed site, but you probably do need to >consider what the impact will be of getting the Terminal junk from >where it is now to where you/they want to place it. If it means >anchoring barges etc you may be doing more harm than good .... > >Current wisdom says that the material should be clustered (not >spread out across the bottom) and that it should be of >approximately the same height (no more than 1/3 water depth). Do >make sure it is not going to pose a hazard to navigation ! > >I can send you our stack of references if you would like to see what >the scientific community has written about artificial reefs. We also >have a draft fact sheet in preparation on artificial reefs which is >aimed at MPA practitioners and includes practical advice >(summarized above) which I would be happy to forward to you. Let >me know > >Good luck ! > >Kalli > > > > > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the >menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From brumba at amnh.org Sat Nov 24 02:29:22 2001 From: brumba at amnh.org (Daniel Brumbaugh) Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 23:29:22 -0800 Subject: Symposium: "Sustaining Seascapes," Mar 2002, AMNH Message-ID: Apologies for the cross-postings... SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation's Seventh Annual Biodiversity Symposium "SUSTAINING SEASCAPES: THE SCIENCE AND POLICY OF MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT" will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 7 and 8, 2002, at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City. "Sustaining Seascapes" will explore the conservation of marine biodiversity and fisheries through the integrated design of marine protected areas (MPAs), MPA networks, and complementary coastal management frameworks. Speakers will examine the large-scale conservation of marine ecosystems - considering novel approaches to the sustainable management of biodiversity and fisheries. Through theory, reviews, and case studies, participants will explore efforts to integrate natural, socioeconomic, and cultural factors at local and regional scales in response to ongoing threats to both fisheries and biodiversity. Invited speakers will include leading marine scientists, scholars, and conservationists from a range of disciplines, such as oceanography, biology, anthropology, political science, and economics. Contributed posters will further round out the program and help facilitate discussions. TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE: > An overview of the crisis in marine fisheries and biodiversity > Roles of different types of MPAs in conservation policy and practice > Physical and biological connectivity among MPAs: where oceanography meets behavior > The economics of coastal zones: fisheries, tourism, and other sectors > Anthropological and sociological dimensions of marine conservation planning and implementation > Integrating ethical perspectives into marine conservation > Analytical and practical approaches to linking social and ecological systems > Uncertainties in ecological and sociopolitical systems CASE STUDIES are being selected from both the U.S. and the international arenas. Likely subjects include (but will not be limited to): > Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Dry Tortugas National Park > Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary > Gulf of Maine > Gulf of California > Great Barrier Reef Marine Park > Philippines A list of invited and confirmed speakers will be posted on the symposium website in the near future. CALL FOR POSTERS: A limited number of posters will be accepted for presentation. Poster subjects must relate to the symposium's themes and may include theory, empirical studies, or case studies. Please limit abstracts to 300 words, and include title, author(s), and contact information for the lead author. Abstracts may be submitted to the CBC's Outreach Program Coordinator, Fiona Brady, at brady at amnh.org. The deadline for submissions is 26 January 2002. Please address questions or comments about the symposium's content to the CBC's Marine Program Manager, Dan Brumbaugh, at brumba at amnh.org. FOR SYMPOSIUM UPDATES, please visit the CBC's website http://research.amnh.org/biodiversity/symposia/seascapes/ or contact biodiversity at amnh.org to receive email updates. TO REGISTER, please contact: Central Reservations, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA, 212-769-5200 (phone), 212-769-5272 (fax), or tickets at amnh.org. Early Registration Fees (by Friday, 26 January): $100 Non-members $80 Members/Seniors $50 Students Late Registration Fees (after Friday, 26 January): $125 Non-members $100 Members/Seniors $60 Students "Members" includes members and staff of the American Museum of Natural History and the symposium's sponsoring organizations. All members, seniors, and students should be prepared to show ID at registration. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From richardl at fiu.edu Sat Nov 24 16:30:50 2001 From: richardl at fiu.edu (Laurie Richardson) Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2001 16:30:50 -0500 Subject: Article " Global Warming Not Only Danger to Corals" References: <4.3.2.7.2.20011115164303.01e53c00@localhost> Message-ID: <3C00118A.E811A95@fiu.edu> Dear Ursula (et al.): In answer to your questions about the article below, I can provide you with some information. As to the identity of the black band disease cyanobacterium, it was described as Phormidium corallyticum in the 1980s (Ruttzler and Santavy). As far as comments about this article, it apparently overlooks a whole series of more recent published, peer-reviewed papers about the nature of this coral disease, which is caused by a pathogenic microbial consortium. Two papers specifically dealing with the dynamics and microbiology of the black band microbial community in it's entirety are: Carlton, R. and L. Richardson (1995). ?Oxygen and sulfide dynamics in a horizontally migrating cyanobacterial mat: Black band disease of corals.? FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 18: 155-162. Richardson, L. et al. (1997). ?Ecology of the black band disease microbial consortium.? Proc. 8th Intl. Coral Reef Symp., Smithsonian Trop. Res. Inst., Panama 1: 597-600. In a separate response to you, Ursula, I'll list about 20 additional peer-reviewed papers about black band disease. All of them discuss the cyanobacterial member. As for other pathogenic reef cyanobacteria, very little is known (at least for corals). There are varying and conflicting reports about "red band disease", but no definitive characterization to date. Cheers, Laurie Richardson ps If anyone else is interested in the list of all black band related papers (that I know of) send me a message and I'll forward them to you as well. Ursula Keuper-Bennett wrote: > Greetings all, > > Just found this and thought others would be interested. > > I'm hoping too that someone might know what species of cyanobacteria was > involved here. I'd also be interested in any comments people might have > about this article and the role cyanobacteria might play in disease > expression of coral or any other marine organism. > > Many thanks, > Ursula Keuper-Bennett > TURTLE TRAX > http://www.turtles.org > > "Global Warming Not Only Danger to Corals > EarthVision Environmental News > > BOSTON, November 15, 2001 - Although scientists have warned that global > warming was wreaking havoc with corals across the globe, a creeping > bacterial infection that plagues corals, called black band disease, is > caused by a combination of human sewage and shipyard discharge researchers > say, which means corals are facing threats on more than one front. > According to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign geologist Bruce > Fouke and his colleagues, the corals are feeling the stress of > environmental pollution, which in turn makes them more susceptible to > bacterial infection. > > "Black band disease is characterized by a ring-shaped bacterial mat that > migrates across a coral colony, leaving dead tissue in its wake," says > Fouke. "Like a tropical rainforest, a coral reef system is a cradle of > biodiversity. If we > destroy the reefs, we destroy the ocean's ability to reproduce." > > Fouke and his UI research team studied corals off the island of Curacao in > the Netherlands Antilles, near the Venezuelan coast. To identify the > microbes inhabiting the black band biomat, the researchers extracted the > microbes' DNA and found several organisms that are human pathogens, which > could be a direct link to raw sewage. Also present in the biomat was a ropy > network of cyanobacteria, a unique group of photosynthetic bacteria that > cannot live without light. In field experiments, the researchers used > shields to block light from infected corals. Black band disease disappeared > from the regions that were not exposed to light. > > "This indicates that cyanobacteria are an important part of the disease > development, but may not be the pathogen," Fouke said. "Perhaps the > cyanobacteria form an apartment complex, allowing a variety of destructive > anaerobic bacteria to take up residence in the low-oxygen microenvironment." > > Although Fouke says more tests are needed to see exactly what is killing > the coral, he notes that all the signs point to human pollution as playing > a role in the destruction. Fouke presented the findings at the recent > annual meeting of > the Geological Society of America." > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. -- Laurie L. Richardson Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Miami, Florida USA 33199 phone: 305/348-1988 fax: 305/348-1986 email: richardl at fiu.edu ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From mnolan at rainforestandreef.org Sun Nov 25 15:05:29 2001 From: mnolan at rainforestandreef.org (Mike Nolan) Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 15:05:29 -0500 Subject: Field Courses in Rainforest and Marine Ecology for Educators/Students Message-ID: <3C014F08.2507@rainforestandreef.org> Apologies for cross-postings.... We are a non-profit organization specializing in outstanding and affordable Field Courses Rainforest and Marine Ecology presently offered in ten countries.. All programs are operated by partner organizations that have shown a strong commitment to conservation and education. Ninety-nine percent of all participation fees stay with our partners to assist in local conservation and education projects. Local Guides and Biologists are featured in the study of natural history, rainforest and coral reef ecology, medicinal uses of native plants, conservation, land management, local cultures, archaeology, geology and much more....In the past our programs have been represented by University, Community College and High School groups, as well as "independent participants"....University professors and students, K-12 teachers and science professionals. Family groups and curious travelers are also welcome. Past participants have come from across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia and the Far East. While most of our programs are customized, please visit our website at http://www.rainforestandreef.org for standard Field Course itineraries. Three Undergraduate or Graduate credits are available for attending through Aquinas College (http://www.aquinas.edu) of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Family groups are also welcome. Please consider sharing this message with Students, Faculty and other interested parties, including Instructors that are presently teaching a Field Course or planning to do so in the future. Feel free to contact us with any questions that you have. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Mike Nolan ********************************************************************* Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit 29 Prospect NE Suite #8 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 USA Phone/Fax: 1-616-776-5928/Toll Free: 1-877-769-3086 Cell Phone: 1-616-813-9308 E-mail: mnolan at rainforestandreef.org Web: http://www.rainforestandreef.org "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" ********************************************************************* HIGH SCHOOL GROUP LEADER REFERENCES: Ed Eberle, Dobson High School/Mesa, AZ E-mail: eberle at amug.org Home Phone: 480-730-8941 Elleen Hutcheson, Lincoln High School/Lincoln, AR E-mail: School Phone: 501-824-3010x3067 Lori Tewksbury, Acalanes High School/Lafayette, CA E-mail: tewks at vygotsky.SoE.berkeley.edu Home Phone: 510-748-9056 Father Maurus Nemeth, Woodside Priory School/Portola, Valley, CA E-mail: mnemeth at woodsidepriory.com School Phone: 650-851-6109 Kelly Lange, Northport Public Schools/Long Island, NY E-mail: klange at northport.k12.ny.us Tracy Giacummo, BOCES Outdoor Learning Lab/Smithtown, NY E-mail: School Phone: 631-360-3652 Elise Adkins, Logan High School/Stollings, WV E-mail: Elise Adkins School Phone: 304-752-6606 Becky Martin, East Grand Rapids Public Schools/East Grand Rapids, MI E-mail: School Phone: 616-235-7551 UNIVERSITY GROUP LEADER REFERENCES: Stam Zervanos, Ph.D., Penn State University/Zoology E-mail: smz1 at psu.edu School Phone: 610-396-6166 Rich Niesenbaum, Ph.D., Muhlenberg College of PA/Biology E-mail: niesenba at muhlenberg.edu School Phone: 484-664-3258 Pam Erickson, Ph.D., University of Connecticut/Anthropology E-mail: erickson at uconnvm.uconn.edu School Phone: 860-486-1736 Mac Hunter, Ph.D., University of Maine/Wildlife Ecology E-mail: Hunter at apollo.umenfa.maine.edu School Phone: 207-581-2865 Joe Goebel, Ph.D., College of New Jersey/Spanish E-mail: Joseph Goebel School Phone: 609-771-2049 Sheila Wang, Ph.D., Yale University/School of Medicine E-mail: shewangmom at aol.com Ann Throckmorton, Ph.D., Westminster College of PA/Biology E-mail: School Phone: 724-946-7206 Tom Hudspeth, Ph.D., University of Vermont/Environmental Program and School of Natural Resources E-mail: thudspet at nature.snr.uvm.edu School Phone: 802- 656-4055 Norma Diehl, Piedmont Virginia Community College/Biology E-mail: NAD2D at jade.pvcc.cc.va.us Hamish Duthie, Ph.D., University of Waterloo/Biology Waterloo, Ontario Canada Ontario Universities Field Course Consortium Hamish Duthie ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From gochfeld at eohsi.rutgers.edu Sun Nov 25 12:41:06 2001 From: gochfeld at eohsi.rutgers.edu (Michael Gochfeld) Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 12:41:06 -0500 Subject: Coral boilers disease Message-ID: <200111261156.LAA27118@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Dr. Ramos: Your message of Oct 21st to the coral-list eventually reached me. I presume that by now you have reached a diagnosis and hopefully a healthy resolution. Diseases of this sort are of great interest to us in Environmental and Occupational Medicine. I would be very interested in hearing more about this case and it sounds like it would be publishable as well----depending on what you were able to find. As my daughter pointed out in forwarding the message, coral have short-chain brominated compounds and it is possible that heating coral might drive off bromine which could account for some of the symptoms. Although the symptoms you describe are also consistent with a metal fume fever, I wouldn't expect any of the metals to be present in sufficient quantity, nor in the correct form (solid fume) to produce that illness. You mentioned "we have already begun testing...." and I wonder whether you were testing the patients, or the coral, or the water in which they were boiled. Were the coral commercially obtained (hence presumably dried) or were they brought back fresh from a tropical trip. Did the symptoms begin while they were boiling the coral or afterwards. How soon after the boiling event did the symptoms begin and was this done indoors in a small room or kitchen or laboratory??? Were the seven patients the only ones exposed and were all exposed for about the same duration. Was the water fresh (our of the tap) or might it have been water that had stood around for a while (hence your interest in Legionella). Were there Xray findings. Is it possible that the seven had another exposure and the coral-boiling was a red herring. In your contact with the Coral list did you encounter other similar cases. I look forward to learning more about this fascinating episode. Michael Gochfeld Michael Gochfeld, MD, PhD Professor of Environmental and Community Medicine UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Piscataway, NJ 08854 >Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 20:34:53 -0500 >From: Shiloh Ramos >To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Subject: Recent illness after boiling coral >Sender: owner-coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > >I am a resident physician in Appleton, WI, currently working at Appleton >Medical Center. I have an inquiry regarding coral. Recently, we admitted >7 patients with similar symptoms after boiling coral for a saltwater fish >tank. Their primary symptoms/signs include: shortness of breath, fever, >headache, dry cough, and an elevated white count. All 7 patients >developed these symptoms within several hours after boiling the coral. >We have already begun testing for chromium, copper, zinc, manganese, >carbon monoxide, cyanide, and legionella. We were wondering if you might >have any advice as to other substances that might be contained in coral or >used in its processing for sale. As well, any advice regarding possible >infectious agents (such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus), would be appreciated. > >Please send any email to shilohjramos at hotmail.com. If you have a more >immediate response, you can phone (920) 831-5042, and they should be able >to easily locate me. > >Thanks again, >Shiloh J. Ramos ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From fouke at uiuc.edu Mon Nov 26 10:25:24 2001 From: fouke at uiuc.edu (Bruce W. Fouke) Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 09:25:24 -0600 Subject: Black Band Disease Molecular Analyses Message-ID: Dear Ursula, The article you referenced was a news brief written by EarthVision summarizing a presentation that Professor Abigail Salyers (Illinois Microbiology) and I made on our newly initiated coral black band disease (BBD) research at the November 2001 Geological Society of America meeting in Boston. We have just submitted a manuscript summarizing this work to Applied and Environmental Microbiology. In this manuscript, all of the previous work on BBD and some other relevant diseases has been thoroughly referenced. The manuscript includes full references to the excellent series of previous studies by workers such as Richardson, Rutzler, Santavy, Antonius, Carlton, Kuta, Schnell, Peters, Edmunds, Goreau, Williams, Rohwer, and several others (a total of 77 citations). In our pilot study, PCR amplification and sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes with universally conserved rDNA primers has identified over 524 unique bacterial sequences affiliated with 12 bacterial divisions. The molecular sequences exhibited less than 5% similarity in bacterial community composition between seawater and the healthy, black band diseased, and dead coral surfaces. Clone libraries from the BBD bacterial mat were comprised of eight bacterial divisions and 13% unknowns. Several sequences representing bacteria previously found in other marine and terrestrial organisms (including humans) were isolated from the infected coral surfaces. Interestingly enough, although the filamentous cyanobacterium in the BBD mat has been previously optically identified as Phormidium corallyticum (Rutzler and Santavy, 1983) there is no sequence in GenBank for P. corallyticum. This has been puzzling because a 1995 abstract suggests that P. corallyticum had been isolated and sequenced (Santavy, Schmidt, and Wilkinson, 1995; Phylogeny of Phormidium corallyticum using 16S rRNA, 7th Annual Symposium on Environmental Releases of Biotechnology Products, ERL GB S665). Please contact me directly if you would like to receive a preprint or have any further questions. Best regards, Bruce -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bruce W. Fouke, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Geology University of Illinois 1301 W. Green Street Urbana, IL 61801 USA Office Phone: (217) 244-5431 Office FAX: (217) 244-4996 Lab Phones: (217) 333-0672 or (217) 244-9848 Email: fouke at uiuc.edu Web Site: http://www.geology.uiuc.edu/~bfouke/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011126/8efc6668/attachment.html From Tomas_Tomascik at pch.gc.ca Mon Nov 26 18:55:29 2001 From: Tomas_Tomascik at pch.gc.ca (Tomas_Tomascik at pch.gc.ca) Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 15:55:29 -0800 Subject: ASLO Summer 2002 meeting in Victoria, BC Message-ID: <85256B10.00836B2E.00@pch.gc.ca> Hello everyone: I would like to draw your attention to an upcoming ASLO meeting that will be held June 10-14, 2002 at the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I am organizing a special session on Marine Protected Areas, please see details below. I would like to encourage all who are doing MPA research to attend, and submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations by January 20, 2002. Submission information can be obtained from the following web site: I hope to see many of you here in beautiful British Columbia - we got some great diving!! Cheers, Tom SS 1-10 Marine Protected Areas: Critical tools for marine biodiversity conservation Organizer: Tomas Tomascik Description: Even though there is widespread consensus on the role and utility of MPAs in conservation of marine biodiversity and fisheries management, their future remains uncertain. Serious questions about the efficacy of MPAs are being raised again both in Canada and USA. This special session will address key concerns voiced in current debates on MPAs, and bring the latest MPA research results into a widely respected scientific forum. The symposium will focus on the current status of MPA science, and its role in the conservation of marine biodiversity and rehabilitation of coastal fisheries. Questions to be addressed will include: 1) Where should MPAs be sited and the importance of MPA networks; 2) How large should MPAs be to meet both biodiversity conservation and coastal fisheries management needs? 3) How do MPAs function in terms of biodiversity conservation and fisheries management? 4) What is the empirical evidence to support the role of MPAs as tools for marine biodiversity conservation and fisheries management? ______________________________________________ Tomas Tomascik, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor, Dept. Botany, University of British Columbia Senior Advisor, Marine Conservation Parks Canada Agency Western Canada Service Centre 300 - 300 West Georgia Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 6B4 Telephone: (604) 666-1182 Fax: (604) 666-7957 E-mail: tomas_tomascik at pch.gc.ca ________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From s96008249 at student.usp.ac.fj Tue Nov 27 15:58:57 2001 From: s96008249 at student.usp.ac.fj (s96008249 at student.usp.ac.fj) Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 12:58:57 -0800 Subject: ecomorphs Message-ID: <3C038E11.15147.DEF9EF@localhost> A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 619 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011127/72701b20/attachment.bin From jgarzon at invemar.org.co Mon Nov 26 17:43:55 2001 From: jgarzon at invemar.org.co (Jaime Garzon) Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 17:43:55 -0500 Subject: Reef Monitoring in Tropical America (RMTA) Message-ID: <200111271156.LAA29551@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear colleagues: The Institute for Marine and Coastal Research (INVEMAR) at Santa Marta, = Colombia, is gathering information to build an inventory of past and = present coral reef monitoring activities in the coasts of tropical = America =96RMTA- (Western Atlantic, Wider Caribbean and Eastern = Pacific), with the support of GCRMN, AIMS, NOAA, ICLARM-ReefBase, = CARICOMP and WRI. The main products of this effort will be a database = and a series of electronic maps in GIS format, which will be available = on several web sites for public consultation. For this reason, we are asking collaboration from persons in charge of = coordinating monitoring activities in any of the regions mentioned = above, by filling a short attached questionnaire. One form must be = filled for each locality covered by the monitoring program. In the = present case, a locality must be considered as a geographic site = separated from other(s) by at least one (1) minute of latitude or = longitude or about one nautical mile (1.8 km). We will include your name = as the provider of these data. If there is common information for every locality or for some of them, = regarding the second and third sections (II. VARIABLES=96METHODS and = III. MONITORING PROGRAM), please fill the corresponding blanks just = once, and repeat the first section (I. LOCALITY INFORMATION) many times = as necessary to cover each locality. Please send the information or any question directly to Jaime = Garz=F3n-Ferreira preferably by e-mail (jgarzon at invemar.org.co ). Thanking in advance for your help, we remain, Sincerely, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jaime Garz=F3n-Ferreira Jefe de Proyectos - Programa BEM (Biodiversidad y Ecosistemas Marinos) INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES MARINAS Y COSTERAS ( INVEMAR ) Zona Portuaria (A. A=E9reo 1016) - Santa Marta, Colombia Tel (57-5)4214774 =F3 4211380 - Fax (57-5) 4211377 =F3 4215181 E-mail: jgarzon at invemar.org.co - http://www.invemar.org.co ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jgarzon at invemar.org.co Mon Nov 26 17:43:55 2001 From: jgarzon at invemar.org.co (Jaime Garzon) Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 17:43:55 -0500 Subject: Reef Monitoring in Tropical America (RMTA) Message-ID: <200111271156.LAA29551@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear colleagues: The Institute for Marine and Coastal Research (INVEMAR) at Santa Marta, = Colombia, is gathering information to build an inventory of past and = present coral reef monitoring activities in the coasts of tropical = America =96RMTA- (Western Atlantic, Wider Caribbean and Eastern = Pacific), with the support of GCRMN, AIMS, NOAA, ICLARM-ReefBase, = CARICOMP and WRI. The main products of this effort will be a database = and a series of electronic maps in GIS format, which will be available = on several web sites for public consultation. For this reason, we are asking collaboration from persons in charge of = coordinating monitoring activities in any of the regions mentioned = above, by filling a short attached questionnaire. One form must be = filled for each locality covered by the monitoring program. In the = present case, a locality must be considered as a geographic site = separated from other(s) by at least one (1) minute of latitude or = longitude or about one nautical mile (1.8 km). We will include your name = as the provider of these data. If there is common information for every locality or for some of them, = regarding the second and third sections (II. VARIABLES=96METHODS and = III. MONITORING PROGRAM), please fill the corresponding blanks just = once, and repeat the first section (I. LOCALITY INFORMATION) many times = as necessary to cover each locality. Please send the information or any question directly to Jaime = Garz=F3n-Ferreira preferably by e-mail (jgarzon at invemar.org.co ). Thanking in advance for your help, we remain, Sincerely, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jaime Garz=F3n-Ferreira Jefe de Proyectos - Programa BEM (Biodiversidad y Ecosistemas Marinos) INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES MARINAS Y COSTERAS ( INVEMAR ) Zona Portuaria (A. A=E9reo 1016) - Santa Marta, Colombia Tel (57-5)4214774 =F3 4211380 - Fax (57-5) 4211377 =F3 4215181 E-mail: jgarzon at invemar.org.co - http://www.invemar.org.co ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From T.Done at aims.gov.au Tue Nov 27 17:48:53 2001 From: T.Done at aims.gov.au (Terry Done) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 08:48:53 +1000 Subject: Update: Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium Message-ID: <5.0.0.25.2.20011128081607.01d72320@email.aims.gov.au> Dear coral-listers, A list of the papers accepted for Proceedings of 9ICRS is now posted at www.nova.edu/ocean/9icrs. The Proceedings, which are an excellent record of the Symposium, will comprise around 200 papers and 1200 pages There will be a print run of 1500 copies, comprising about 1000 for fully paid registrants, and about 500 for sale and donation to needy institutions. As soon as possible, ISRS will announce more details on dates of distribution to fully paid registrants, and how others may order copies. I invite individuals and organizations who are interested in supporting the ISRS and the Indonesian Organizing Committee in our Proceedings donation program to contact me. For those organizations interested in receiving a donation of the Proceedings, a call will be made for expressions of interest once the Proceedings are published. Dr Terry Done President, International Society for Reef Studies c/- Australian Institute of Marine Science PMB #3 Mail Centre, Townsville Qld 4810 Australia Phone 61 7 47 534 344 Fax 61 7 47 725 852 email: tdone at aims.gov.au WEBSITE for 9th International Coral Reef Symposium www.nova.edu/ocean/9icrs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011128/95641d7d/attachment.html From F.Kelmo at plymouth.ac.uk Tue Nov 27 22:01:30 2001 From: F.Kelmo at plymouth.ac.uk (Frank KELMO) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 03:01:30 GMT Subject: VIRUS Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, I have received two messages with attached virus in less than 24 hours. Both emails were concerned about my last enquiry to coral-list about bioerosion by sea-urchins. The attached virus-file was identified as setup.exe.rdc and sender is called Jose M. Castello (surely a false name!). I was unable to identify the email address of the sender, however, there are people working on it. Sincerely, Frank. F.Kelmo Coral Reef Ecology Benthic Ecology Research Group 613 Davy Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Devon, PL4 8AA United Kingdom. Phone: +44 (0)1752 232951 (Lab) +44 (0)870 712 5852 (home) Fax: +44 (0)1752 232970 E-mail: fkelmo at plymouth.ac.uk ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From McCarty_and_Peters at compuserve.com Tue Nov 27 23:16:24 2001 From: McCarty_and_Peters at compuserve.com (McCarty and Peters) Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 23:16:24 -0500 Subject: VIRUS Message-ID: <200111272316_MC3-E888-C40@compuserve.com> Frank et al., Thanks for confirming that someone else has been hit. We suffered no damage here, but did wonder about several recently received messages. For those on the list who wish to learn more about this worm, go to: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.badtrans.b at mm.html to see its effects and how to get rid of it. >> The attached virus-file was identified as setup.exe.rdc<< Actually, its a worm called w32.badtrans. >> and sender is called Jose M. Castello (surely a false name!) << On the contrary, Sr. Castello did participate on this list in the past month. One aspect of this worm is that it replies to a message which has not been replied to before. In other words, if an exchange of messages ends because there is nothing more to say, it is possible that the worm will pick the last message in the thread and reply to it. One message that we received here had the appropriate subject line for the earlier exchange. >> I was unable to identify the email address of the sender, however, there are people working on it. << We had no trouble reading the addresses. They may not be valid at this point, but they were certainly readable.... At the risk of incurring the wrath of list members, I would respectively suggest that if you do not have virus software installed, or worse, if you cannot bother to keep it up to date, please do not subscribe to this list, or any other. Yes, there are undoubtedly some "starving students" who subscribe to the list, as well as participants from outside the US for whom virus software is a relative luxury. However, I hope that they are the minority and that they will be as careful as possible regarding viruses. Many of us on this list will gladly offer concrete suggestions for taking such care, if asked. To Jim Hendee and the list operators, this worm came to light only recently. However, Norton responded with new virus definitions within 1 day, despite the holiday. I'm sure that other AV software companies did the same. We all need to pay attention. I hope that no one else experienced anything more than a minor annoyance. If not, check the URL above for instructions on how to remove the virus. Yours for safer computing, Chip McCarty ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From stephen.buckland1 at btinternet.com Wed Nov 28 05:14:56 2001 From: stephen.buckland1 at btinternet.com (stephen.buckland1 at btinternet.com) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 10:14:56 +0000 (GMT) Subject: VIRUS Message-ID: <3859230.1006942496617.JavaMail.root@127.0.0.1> Dear Mr McCarty, Thank you for your informative e-mail on the Badtrans virus. I, however, was not so lucky and have had a fair amount of damage on my home PC when the virus came through as a reply to a job application, as I have recently finished a MSc in GIS (yes one of those 'starving students'), while in the process of buying virus protection software off the web! As a way of extra information for everyone the name the e-mail was addressed from was a 'chan.mai' or a name to that affect, with the attached file having 'HAMSTER' in the name field. I write this to you all as an apology should the virus send an email out (although I will soon be taking my name off the list until I can sort out and delete the virus properly). Kind regards, Stephen Buckland. > Frank et al., > > Thanks for confirming that someone else has been hit. We suffered no > damage here, but did wonder about several recently received messages. > > For those on the list who wish to learn more about this worm, go to: > > > > to see its effects and how to get rid of it. > > >> The attached virus-file was identified as setup.exe.rdc<< > > Actually, its a worm called w32.badtrans. > > >> and sender is called Jose M. Castello (surely a false name!) << > > On the contrary, Sr. Castello did participate on this list in the past > month. > > One aspect of this worm is that it replies to a message which has not been > replied to before. In other words, if an exchange of messages ends because > there is nothing more to say, it is possible that the worm will pick the > last message in the thread and reply to it. > > One message that we received here had the appropriate subject line for the > earlier exchange. > > >> I was unable to identify the email address of the sender, however, there > are people working on it. << > > We had no trouble reading the addresses. They may not be valid at this > point, but they were certainly readable.... > > > > At the risk of incurring the wrath of list members, I would respectively > suggest that if you do not have virus software installed, or worse, if you > cannot bother to keep it up to date, please do not subscribe to this list, > or any other. > > Yes, there are undoubtedly some "starving students" who subscribe to the > list, as well as participants from outside the US for whom virus software > is a relative luxury. However, I hope that they are the minority and that > they will be as careful as possible regarding viruses. Many of us on this > list will gladly offer concrete suggestions for taking such care, if asked. > > > > > To Jim Hendee and the list operators, this worm came to light only > recently. However, Norton responded with new virus definitions within 1 > day, despite the holiday. I'm sure that other AV software companies did > the same. We all need to pay attention. I hope that no one else > experienced anything more than a minor annoyance. If not, check the URL > above for instructions on how to remove the virus. > > Yours for safer computing, > > Chip McCarty > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From hendee at aoml.noaa.gov Wed Nov 28 08:15:51 2001 From: hendee at aoml.noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 08:15:51 -0500 (EST) Subject: VIRUS In-Reply-To: <200111272316_MC3-E888-C40@compuserve.com> Message-ID: Greetings, There have been several attempts to post the w32.badtrans virus to coral-list over the last week, but I killed all of them. Although the virus used a valid subscriber's name to try to send the message to the list, and thus theoretically it could have been circulated to all subscribers, it was caught by me as "too big" and I saw that it was a virus. Thus, I have here another good example on why I restrict the size of posted messages. On the other hand, it is theoretically possible for a small virus to get past the size restriction. You should therefore, if possible, look at the file extension of attached messages that look suspicious (e.g., *.exe). Finally, I just wanted to remind you that I zealously guard the list so that nobody gets it. I think the fact that all subscribers do not get regularly bombed by junk mailers and virulent malcontents exhibits the fact that the dirty rotten scoundrels are not using coral-list as their source. As I mentioned before, though, it is possible that some enterprising (and desperate) knucklehead could gain access to emails by cruising through the coral-list archives. We may try to come up with a way to protect this in the future. Take care, and remember to backup your files regularly! Cheers, Jim On Tue, 27 Nov 2001, McCarty and Peters wrote: > Frank et al., > > Thanks for confirming that someone else has been hit. We suffered no > damage here, but did wonder about several recently received messages. > > For those on the list who wish to learn more about this worm, go to: > > http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.badtrans.b at mm.html > > to see its effects and how to get rid of it. > > >> The attached virus-file was identified as setup.exe.rdc<< > > Actually, its a worm called w32.badtrans. > > >> and sender is called Jose M. Castello (surely a false name!) << > > On the contrary, Sr. Castello did participate on this list in the past > month. > > One aspect of this worm is that it replies to a message which has not been > replied to before. In other words, if an exchange of messages ends because > there is nothing more to say, it is possible that the worm will pick the > last message in the thread and reply to it. > > One message that we received here had the appropriate subject line for the > earlier exchange. > > >> I was unable to identify the email address of the sender, however, there > are people working on it. << > > We had no trouble reading the addresses. They may not be valid at this > point, but they were certainly readable.... > > > > At the risk of incurring the wrath of list members, I would respectively > suggest that if you do not have virus software installed, or worse, if you > cannot bother to keep it up to date, please do not subscribe to this list, > or any other. > > Yes, there are undoubtedly some "starving students" who subscribe to the > list, as well as participants from outside the US for whom virus software > is a relative luxury. However, I hope that they are the minority and that > they will be as careful as possible regarding viruses. Many of us on this > list will gladly offer concrete suggestions for taking such care, if asked. > > > > > To Jim Hendee and the list operators, this worm came to light only > recently. However, Norton responded with new virus definitions within 1 > day, despite the holiday. I'm sure that other AV software companies did > the same. We all need to pay attention. I hope that no one else > experienced anything more than a minor annoyance. If not, check the URL > above for instructions on how to remove the virus. > > Yours for safer computing, > > Chip McCarty > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the > menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From sromano at uvi.edu Wed Nov 28 09:46:57 2001 From: sromano at uvi.edu (sandra romano) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 09:46:57 -0500 Subject: Acropora spp. Message-ID: <200111281421.OAA33295@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Back in 1999 there was a discussion on the coral list about the possible listing of Acropora spp. as threatened or endangered. Does anyone know what the status of this is now? Thank you in advance for for any info. Sandra L. Romano, PhD Assistant Professor of Marine Biology Division of Science and Mathematics University of the Virgin Islands 2 John Brewers Bay St. Thomas 00802 USVI Email: sromano at uvi.edu Voice: (340) 693-1389 Fax: (340) 693-1385 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From Tomas_Tomascik at pch.gc.ca Wed Nov 28 11:23:12 2001 From: Tomas_Tomascik at pch.gc.ca (Tomas_Tomascik at pch.gc.ca) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 08:23:12 -0800 Subject: Callum Roberts Message-ID: <85256B12.00605670.00@pch.gc.ca> I am trying to find out the whereabouts of Callum Roberts. My latest e-mail address I have from him is: Thanks, Tomas Tomascik ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From alline at cosmevelho.com.br Wed Nov 28 16:34:33 2001 From: alline at cosmevelho.com.br (Alline Figueira de Paula) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 19:34:33 -0200 Subject: Tubastraea Message-ID: <001301c17854$78b37f60$6108a8c0@easyline.com.br> Dear coral listers, I?m a pos-graduated student at Rio de Janeiro State University researching about the Scleractinian coral Tubastraea in Brazil. I would like to receive some informations about this coral in others localites: growth, reproduction, distribution or thing that you observed... Thank you! Alline Alline Figueira de Paula Laborat?rio de Ecologia Marinha B?ntica Departamento de Ecologia Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Rua S?o Francisco Xavier 524, PHLC Sala 220 CEP 20559-900 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Tel. + 55 21 587-7328/7593 R 25 Fax + 55 21 587-7655 e-mail: pgbm0002 at uerj.br alline at cosmevelho.com.br -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011128/7a600b0d/attachment.html From McCarty_and_Peters at compuserve.com Wed Nov 28 23:17:45 2001 From: McCarty_and_Peters at compuserve.com (McCarty and Peters) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 23:17:45 -0500 Subject: VIRUS Message-ID: <200111282317_MC3-E879-1665@compuserve.com> Mr. Buckland, >> the virus came through as a reply to a job application << Ugh! That's cold, very cold... >> one of those 'starving students'), while in the process of buying virus protection software off the web! << While it may be too late, you (and other students on the list) might want to check out a trusty "old" product that runs under DOS. Its called F-Prot and the DOS version is free. It will run under various flavors of Windows as well. Not elegant, not a fancy interface, but it does the job to a large degree, its kept up to date, and the price is hard to beat. You can find information at: http://www.f-prot.com/f-prot/products/fpdos.html Might be worth a look. Good luck in any event. Chip McCarty ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From alexandre.brunet at icam.fr Thu Nov 29 06:33:10 2001 From: alexandre.brunet at icam.fr (Alexandre Brunet) Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 12:33:10 +0100 Subject: Experiment Message-ID: Dear Coral listers, At present time, I am in an engineer French school : ICAM (Institut Catholique dArts et Mitiers) in Lille. During our studies, at the end of the first year of the engineer cycle, we have to set up a project called + experiment ; from may to september 2002. Its aim is to allow us to realize a dream or an experience ; moreover it must provide for our subsistence. During this period, I wish to go to Oceania, Pacific islands or other countries in order to work in a research center, to discover a different culture and to live in close touch with nature : indeed, I like very much maritime environment and observation of animals in their natural surroundings ; moreover I enjoy diving. I would be very interested to work in a research center or in an University. Having some knowledge of biological, physics, engineer and computer sciences, I wish to bring my scientific contribution to a project about the coral. Thanks to my ICAM studies, I am used to adapt to different circumstances and people and work with the others. I think exchanging ideas in a team of researchers would be enriching. Thank you in advance for your help. Alexandre Brunet + Le Castelys ; Chemin des chartreux 62 219 Longuenesse France alexandre.brunet at icam.fr ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From jpeavey at tnc.org Wed Nov 28 13:57:18 2001 From: jpeavey at tnc.org (Jordan Peavey) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 13:57:18 -0500 Subject: New Report on Coral Bleaching! Message-ID: <200111291250.MAA02524@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Scientists from the Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund suggested that the coral-list group might be interested in this news of a ground breaking report being released by the two groups. The report suggests new principals for protecting reefs and helping reefs recover from bleaching events. I've included the press release for more information below. Please call me at 703-841-5980 if you would like to talk to one of our scientists or obtain any other information. A copy of the report is available at www.conserveonline.com. Thanks. Jordan Peavey The Nature Conservancy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Kathleen Sullivan, World Wildlife Fund, 202-778-9576 or kathleen.sullivan at wwfus.org Jordan Peavey, The Nature Conservancy, 703-841-5980 or jpeavey at tnc.org Marine Protected Areas Aid Coral Reefs Threatened by Global Warming The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund Release Ground Breaking Report About Protecting Coral Reefs WASHINGTON, (Nov. 28, 2001) ? A new report from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy provides scientists, policy makers and park managers with new science-based principles for managing protected coral reefs, helping reefs survive and recover from coral bleaching incidents and guiding the location and management of new marine protected areas. Entitled Coral Bleaching and Marine Protected Areas, the report captures the findings of the first workshop on management strategies designed to help mitigate the impact of global warming on coral reef health in protected areas. When corals are exposed to stressful conditions they lose the colorful symbiotic algae that are necessary to their continued health and survival. This "bleaching" is often brought on by increased sea temperatures that accompany global warming. Human-induced emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blanket the world and trap in heat, causing global warming. "To save coral reefs, we need to develop better management to protect reefs around the world and, at the same time, act to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming," said Dr. Ghislaine Llewellyn, a WWF marine conservation scientist and contributor to the report. "This report suggests that there are practical measures we can take to help protect corals." In the last decade, climate change has emerged as a significant threat to coral reefs, with large areas of reefs dying off due to coral bleaching. Coral bleaching has been particularly severe in the Indian Ocean, where as many as 50-95 percent of all corals died. "Many of our coral reefs are being devastated by emerging global threats, like climate-related bleaching, that cannot be managed on site," said Rod Salm, the original proponent of the ideas discussed at the workshop. Salm is director of The Nature Conservancy?s Asia Pacific coastal and marine program and an editor of the report. "But some coral communities are surviving these threats and these reefs can provide profound insight on how we can protect these precious ecosystems. We need to examine the factors that help these communities survive and use them as the foundations for our future coral reef conservation action." Coral Bleaching and Marine Protected Areas provides the basis for further research and monitoring to refine common characteristics among coral reef communities that survive the effects of global warming. Findings are expected to provide further insight into effective coral reef conservation policies and management strategies for marine protected areas. Coral reefs are one of the most threatened marine ecosystems. At least two thirds of the worlds reefs are considered to be deteriorating and significant losses are predicted in the next decade. Reefs face threats from a variety of sources ranging from the complex and wide ranging problems like global warming to destructive localized industries such as fishing with bombs and cyanide to mining of corals for building material, sedimentation, pollution and coastal development. "Coral reefs are being negatively affected by local, regional and global influences and it is critical that we use management tools focused on preserving coral reefs at each of these levels," said Billy Causey, superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. "While local and regional pollution, over-fishing and habitat destruction present major threats to coral reefs, the global impact of coral bleaching is killing corals at an alarming rate." The report was released this week at a International Coral Reef Initiative workshop in Maputo, Mozambique where international policy makers, scientists and park managers are meeting to call on the world's leaders to be responsible managers and to help save coral reefs. The report can also be found online at www.conserveonline.org. The release of the workshop report coincides with the launch of a worldwide survey to further determine the role certain environmental factors may have in helping coral communities resist or rapidly recover from bleaching. The survey will be conducted through a questionnaire posted on the ReefBase Web site (www.reefbase.org/questionaire/index.asp), is expected to take six months, and is a contribution to the International Biodiversity Observation Year. All coral reef researchers and managers are urged to contribute to this global assessment and complete the questionnaire. About Coral Reefs Coral reefs are extremely productive ecosystems that feed a billion people annually. An estimated two million species live in reefs; species that could represent a natural pharmacy that holds great promise in the search for powerful new biochemical compounds ranging from cancer fighting agents to sunscreens. Coral reefs provide a source of food and livelihood security for millions of coastal communities throughout the tropical developing world and their aesthetic appeal supports a multi-billion dollar tourism and recreational diving industry. About The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is a private, international, non-profit organization established in 1951 to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. To date, the Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 12 million acres in the United States, and have helped through partnerships to preserve more than 80 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, Asia and the Pacific. Visit the Conservancy on the world wide web at www.nature.org About World Wildlife Fund World Wildlife Fund (WWF), known worldwide by its panda logo, leads international efforts to protect the diversity of life on earth. Now in its fourth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe. In Asia, Africa, and Latin America, in places as diverse as the Phillippines Sulu Sea and the Florida Keys, WWF has been working to set up dozens of marine protected areas to conserve precious habitats and the species they contain. Learn more about WWF and its efforts by visiting www.worldwildlife.org. ### Jordan Peavey The Nature Conservancy please note my new number direct line: 703-841-5980 media line: 703-841-4220 fax: 703-841-9692 jpeavey at tnc.org http://nature.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver. From corals at prtc.net Wed Nov 28 17:14:03 2001 From: corals at prtc.net (CORALations) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 18:14:03 -0400 Subject: Sept. 11 impacting reefs Message-ID: <001901c178db$40357260$c6713242@TheEcoIsp.com.net> For those interested in an update on military target maneuvers on the Caribbean island of Vieques, there is an excellent article: Juan Giusti-Cordero, "Vieques after September 11: KO'ed in the 12th round?," The American Prospect Online, November 26, 2001. This article can be found at: http://americanprospect.com/webfeatures/2001/11/index.html Background: Vieques coral reefs have been described by marine scientists as being of global importance. Last year, Dr. Porter from the University of Georgia documented the coral reefs suffered serious impact from military practice maneuvers. Photo and article at: http://www.viequeslibre.addr.com/start.html The changing political climate after Sept. 11th may again threaten these reefs with "live fire" target practice. Mary Ann Lucking Project Coordinator CORALations Conservar Cuidar Educar Conserve Nurture Educate P.O. Box 750 Culebra, PR 00775 1-877-77CORAL / (1-877-772-6725) www.coralations.org email: corals at prtc.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/20011128/6a816804/attachment.html